N4.8bn Fraud: Court Fixes April 15 to Hear Applications Stalling Ibeto’s Arraignment
A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has set April 15, 2024, as the date for hearing all applications filed by lawyers representing Chief Cletus Ibeto, who is accused of an alleged N4.8 billion fraud.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, the presiding judge, agreed to the date after stating that she needed time to study the case file.
At the resumed hearing, the Lagos State Attorney-General, represented by Dr. Babajide Martins, announced the intention to take over the case.
DPP acted on the directive of the A-G and the prosecution has been served with the Amicus brief filed by the office.
The Amicus brief filed by the office of the AG dated and filed on February 29, 2024, made available to our correspondence to the effect that the Court should strike out the matter for lacking both territorial and actual jurisdiction.
Defence Counsel, Mr. Ade Oshodi, informed the court of a notice of preliminary objection dated January 26 that has not been heard by the court.
He also mentioned that he had taken over the case and filed a new application on January 26, 2024.
The EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), mentioned that he had not served the hearing notice and that the issue of territorial jurisdiction had been raised.
The case file was reassigned to Justice Ogala court, and the next hearing is scheduled for April 15, 2024, to review all applications submitted by the parties.
EFCC had filed a 10-count charge against Ibeto, alongside his company, Ibeto Energy Development Company, before Justice Ismail Ijelu.
The anti-graft commission said the alleged offences contravene the provision of Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 and Section 365(3d) and (e), 366 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
