A fraud case filed against Zinox Technologies chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife Chioma Ekeh, and 11 others, has once again been dismissed by the court.
The latest is the dismissal of the suit by Justice Akpan Okon Ebong of the FCT High Court, who struck out the case filed by Femi Falana, purporting to act on a fiat donated to him by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi against the chairman of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh, and 12 others.
The other defendants are Chris Eze Ozims, Oyebode Folashade, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, Agartha Ukoha, Anya O. Anya, Femi Dosumu, Nnenna Kalu, Admas Digital Technologies Limited, Technology Distributions Limited and Zinox Technologies Limited.
Justice Akpan Okon Ebong of the FCT High Court struck out the case, which was filed by senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on behalf of Benjamin Joseph, CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited. The case alleged that the defendants were involved in the fraudulent diversion of ₦162 million related to a laptop supply contract with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). However, the judge ruled that the case was a “gross abuse of court process” and dismissed it.
Justice Ebong noted that multiple courts and law enforcement agencies had previously reviewed the allegations and found no merit in them. He criticized the persistence of the case, stating that the plaintiff had turned it into a “campaign of persecution” despite repeatedly failing to substantiate his claims in court.
In the certified true copy of the judgment dated March 20, 2025, Justice Ebong ruled as follows: “It is my conclusion based on the foregoing that this charge (No. FCT/HC/CR/985/2024, Federal Republic of Nigeria v Leo Stan Ekeh and 12 ORS) constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.”
Justice Ebong said: “One intriguing aspect of this matter is that none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of the nominal complainant’s (Mr. Joseph) numerous petitions has found merit in any of his allegations against the defendants. When called upon before Senchi J. (Justice Danlami Z. Senchi) to prove his said allegations to the court, he failed to turn up in court. One then wonders on what premise he wants to maintain this campaign of persecution against the defendants.”
Commenting on the ruling, defense lawyer Chris Eze Ozims said, “This judgment aligns with previous court decisions, reaffirming that these allegations are baseless.”
Chief defense counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN) described the verdict as a “victory for integrity and the rule of law.”
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