• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 7, 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

Otudeko, Onasanya’s Arraignment Now February 13

by Olugbenga Soyele
5 months ago
in Crime
otudeko
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court on Monday fixed February 13 for the arraignment of businessman Chief Oba Otudeko and a former managing director of First Bank Olabisi Onasanya over allegations of N12.3 billion fraud.

Advertisement

However, a mild drama played out in court as lawyers to the defendants announced their appearance in protest and accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of sensationalism.
One of the lawyers, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), informed the judge that they were appearing in protest because their clients had not been served a copy of the charge.

Olanipekun said they only learned about the allegations against the defendants through the media.

The EFCC is accusing Otudeko, who was 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.

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.

RELATED

Lawyers Raise Alarm Over ‘Gradual Desecration’ Of Legal Profession In Rivers

Alleged N620m Fraud: Court Discharges Baptist Pastor, Others

1 day ago

Man Arrested For Killing Pregnant Wife In Niger

1 day ago

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

The defendants were all absent in court, but their lawyers represented them.
When the case was called on Monday, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the anti-graft agency had made efforts to serve the charge on the defendants without success.

Oyedepo also claimed that the last known addresses of the first, second, and third defendants are No. 6b Mekunwen St. Ikoyi, while the last known address of the second defendant is No. 21, Ribadu Road Ikoyi.

He then told the court that the prosecution had a motion for substituted service at the last known addresses of these defendants.

In his reaction, Olanipekun confirmed that Otudeko had not been served; he also drew the court’s attention to various newspaper publications reporting the arraignment.

Also, the second defense counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), informed the court that he had a copy of the charge, which he printed from online sources.

Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) appeared for the third defendant, while Charles Adeogun Philips (SAN) announced an appearance for the fourth defendant in protest.

Philips also informed the court that his appearance was in protest as his client was never served with any charge.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke then questioned the appearance of all defense counsels in court. If they claim, the defendants had not been served.

In response, Olanipekun told the court that on January 17, the media was flooded with screaming headlines indicating that the defendants would be arraigned on Monday.

He presented copies of national dailies to the court and read portions of the report, showing that the defendants were to appear before Justice Aneke.

He described such conduct as unfair, especially as no charge was served on his client.
While Oyedepo was moving his application for substituted service, Olumide-Fusika informed the court that he was willing to undertake service of the charge for his client since he had already taken steps to print it.

Following the court’s directive to issue service on the second defense counsel, who had indicated a willingness to accept the charge, the prosecutor handed Fusika a copy in court.

The court, consequently, adjourned the case until February 13 for the arraignment of the defendants.


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

START EARNING US DOLLARS as a Nigerian ($35,000) monthly. Companies are sacking their workers due to AI (artificial intelligence), business owners are in panic mode. Only the smart will make it. Click here


Tags: Federal High Court
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

FG Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Agreement As Thousands Of Palestinians Return

Next Post

Solid Minerals: NASS Summons Ministers, DG Over 2025 Budget Allocation

Olugbenga Soyele

Olugbenga Soyele

You May Like

Lawyers Raise Alarm Over ‘Gradual Desecration’ Of Legal Profession In Rivers
Crime

Alleged N620m Fraud: Court Discharges Baptist Pastor, Others

2025/06/06
Crime

Man Arrested For Killing Pregnant Wife In Niger

2025/06/06
Court Remands Kano TikToker Over Cross-dressing, ‘Indecent’ Social Media Content
Crime

Court Remands Kano TikToker Over Cross-dressing, ‘Indecent’ Social Media Content

2025/06/04
police
Crime

Police Arrest 4 Suspected Cult Members In Plateau

2025/06/04
Court Dismisses Bizman’s N50m Suit Against AIG Interpol, Others
Crime

Court Remands 2 Chinese Nationals Over Alleged Illegal Export Of Mineral Resources

2025/06/04
Police Arrest 3 Suspected Notorious Cultists In Lagos
Crime

Police Arrest 3 Suspected Notorious Cultists In Lagos

2025/06/01
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Bitget Hosts Blockchain Education Day To Foster Web3 Awareness Growth

Low Key Sallah In Niger As Bago, Etsu Nupe Urge Peace

Plateau Govt Engages 20,000 Youths In Agro-Industrial Chains

Benue Govt Orders Residents To Vacate Flood-Prone Areas

Nasarawa Building Renewable Energy Future Through Lithium – Commissioner

Tinubu Commiserates With Ex-Kogi West Senator Adeyemi Over Mother’s Death

Eid al-Adha: Matawalle Urges National Unity, Prayers

Your Political Rating Is Ruined, PDP Professionals Tell Gov Eno

Tinubu Mourns ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ Singer Mike Ejeagha

Governor Eno Leaves PDP For APC As Commissioners Decline

© 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.