• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Fraud: Otudeko, Onasanya, Others Seek Out-of-court Settlement With AGF

by Olugbenga Soyele
5 months ago
in News
Otudeko
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Lawyers for businessman Chief Oba Otudeko and former Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Olabisi Onasanya told a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday that they are exploring an out-of-court settlement of the fraud case brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Advertisement

The lawyers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Mr Olumide Fusika (SAN), Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), and Dr Charles Adeogun-Philips (SAN), therefore urged the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, to adjourn the case so that they could conclude the negotiations.

The EFCC is accusing Otudeko, a former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings, Onasanya, a former board member of Honeywell Group, Soji Akintayo, and a company, Anchorage Leisure Limited, which is allegedly connected to Otudeko, of fraudulently obtaining the money from the bank.

The anti-graft agency, in the charge filed by one of its prosecutors, Bilikisu Buhari, claimed that the defendants committed fraud in multiple transactions totalling N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N6.15 billion, N1.5 billion, and N500 million between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.

In the charge marked FHC/L/20C/2025 dated January 16, 2025, the Commission also alleged that the defendants created and used forged documents to deceive the bank.

RELATED

Firm Advises Real Estate Investors To Prioritise Land Title Documents

Philanthropist Pledges Investment In Real Estate Business

2 minutes ago
Federal Govt’s National Housing For Nigerians In Private, Public Sectors — Minister

Dangiwa Lauds ARCON On Summer Skills Acquisition Centre

3 minutes ago

However, the defendants have not entered their pleas because Otudeko has not appeared before the court since the matter started. His lawyer said he is abroad on health grounds.

At Monday‘s resumed hearing of the case, Justice Aneke dismissed various applications challenging the court‘s jurisdiction to hear the case.

In his ruling, he held that under Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the defendants must be arraigned before any jurisdictional challenges can be addressed.

The judge also cited legal precedents, including the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of Yahaya Bello and EFCC, stating that no preliminary objections could be heard before arraignment.

Following this ruling, Chief Olanipekun informed the court that on March 12, 2025, counsel for all parties met with the AGF to explore an out-of-court settlement.

He claimed that substantial progress was made, and the AGF directed all parties to refrain from any actions that could jeopardise the resolution process, including filing additional applications.

Chief Olanipekun disclosed that the next meeting with the AGF is scheduled for April 9, 2025, at the AGF’s office in Abuja.

He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn the case to report on the settlement progress.

However, EFCC prosecutor Mrs Bilikisu Buhari-Bala opposed the adjournment for a settlement report alone, insisting that the next hearing should include the defendants‘ arraignment.

In response, Chief Olanipekun reaffirmed that the AGF actively mediated the settlement.

Other defence attorneys, including Ogunwumiju (SAN), Fusika (SAN), Adeogun-Phillips (SAN), and First Bank’s counsel, Babajide Koku (SAN), confirmed their participation in the settlement meeting and supported the adjournment.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Aneke granted the request and adjourned the case to May 8, 2025, for a report on the settlement progress.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel




Tags: Oba OtudekoOlabisi Onasanya
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Lawyer Asks Ugochinyere To Retract Defamatory Remarks, Threatens Lawsuit

Next Post

Wike Condemns FCDA Executive Secretary Over Alleged Fraud Against Gishiri Victims

Olugbenga Soyele

Olugbenga Soyele

You May Like

Firm Advises Real Estate Investors To Prioritise Land Title Documents
News

Philanthropist Pledges Investment In Real Estate Business

2025/08/05
Federal Govt’s National Housing For Nigerians In Private, Public Sectors — Minister
News

Dangiwa Lauds ARCON On Summer Skills Acquisition Centre

2025/08/05
REA, Yobe Set To Convene Strategic Roundtable On 2023 Electricity Act
Business

REA, Esodora Sign MoU To Boost Energy Access Nationwide

2025/08/05
Abbey Mortgage Bank’s New Board Anticipates Growth
Business

Abbey Mortgage Appoints Okonkwo As ED

2025/08/05
Leadway Assurance Complies With 10-year Tenure Limits As New MD, ED Resume
Business

Leadway Assurance, Ecobank Partner On Tailored Insurance Solutions

2025/08/05
Linkage Assurance Unveils Third-Party Motor Insurance With Own Damage Cover
Business

Linkage Assurance Revenue Hits N22.2bn In 2024

2025/08/05
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Philanthropist Pledges Investment In Real Estate Business

Dangiwa Lauds ARCON On Summer Skills Acquisition Centre

REA, Esodora Sign MoU To Boost Energy Access Nationwide

Abbey Mortgage Appoints Okonkwo As ED

Leadway Assurance, Ecobank Partner On Tailored Insurance Solutions

Linkage Assurance Revenue Hits N22.2bn In 2024

Heirs Insurance Partners Influencers, Drives Insurance Literacy

Police Arrest 5 Suspected Ritualists In Akwa Ibom

Keyamo, Rewane, Others To Discuss Aviation Financing At LAAC Conference

‘Nigeria First Policy To Enhance Patronage of Local Tech, Products’

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.