N4.7 BN FRAUD: EFCC COUNSEL INJURY STALLS BABALAKIN’S CASE An ankle injury sustained by counsel to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Rotimi Jacob, yesterday forced the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to adjourn the hearing of separate applications filed by chairman of Bi-Courtney Ltd., Wale Babalakin and his co-defendants, challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the N4.7 billion fraud charge preferred against them. Babalakin and his co-defendants Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Ltd., Bi-Courtney Ltd. and Renix Nigeria Ltd, were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a 27-count charge of conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action. The defendants had through their respective counsel argued that the EFCC lacked the power to prosecute them before a state High Court without a valid fiat. Apart from challenging the court’s jurisdiction, the defendants are also challenging the competency of the charges. But at the commencement of proceedings presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal Akapo yesterday, EFCC counsel said he could not undertake the business of the day (hearing of the application) because he sprained his ankle last week in an accident. He therefore, asked the court for an adjournment. However, Babalakin’s counsel, Dr Abiodun Layonu , urged the court to allow the defence to adopt their written addresses in support of the applications, a request the court turned down. Justice Akapo thereafter adjourned the case till March 5, 2014 on the basis of Jacob’s injury.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:17:09 +0000
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