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Money Laundering: Court Refuses Plea To End Ikuforiji’s Trial

The Federal High Court, Lagos on Monday refused an application by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and his aide, … Continue reading Money Laundering: Court Refuses Plea To End Ikuforiji’s Trial


The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji

The Federal High Court, Lagos on Monday refused an application by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, seeking to terminate their trial.

The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji

Messrs Ikuforiji and Atoyebi were arraigned before Justice Okechukwu  Okeke on March 1 2012 on the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They were accused among others, of conspiring to commit an illegal act of accepting cash payments amounting to N273.3m from the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) without going through a financial institution.

Mr Ikuforiji is also accused of using his position to misappropriate about N500m belonging to LAHA.

Justice Okeke, in a ruling on the application, refrained from dismissing the 20-count money laundering charge on which the duo was being tried, holding that he would be guided by public interest.

He therefore granted an accelerated hearing in the case and adjourned to 8 April.

The lead defence lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo had asked the court to dismiss the charges after realising that the prosecution lawyer, Godwin Obla was absent in court.

Mr Obla had sent a letter to the court to explain his absence.

Mr Oyetibo however argued that the prosecution had, since his clients’ arraignment in March 2012 treated the case with much levity.

He submitted that most adjournments granted in the matter had been at the instance of the prosecution, who he accused of exhibiting visible reluctance to prosecute the case.

He consequently urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of diligent prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Okeke said he would adjourn the matter again in the overriding public interest.

He then adjourned the case to the 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of April for continuation of trial.