An Ikeja High Court in Lagos State on Friday has ordered that a hearing notice be served on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the case of a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, charged with N4.8 billion fraud.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Oyindamola Ogala ordered that EFCC be served the hearing notice.
This followed their absence in court.
Ogala said: “This is a newly re-assigned matter before this court and there is no representative of EFCC in court.
“All parties must be informed about the re-assignment of this case.
“Hearing notice to be served on all parties.”
The judge adjourned the case until March 11, 2024 for further proceeding.
When the case was called on Friday, the prosecution, EFCC and defendants were not present in court.
The defence counsel, Ade Oshodi, had informed the court that there was no representation of the EFCC in court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, had appeared before the court as an interested party, pursuant to Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and due to the petition written by the defendants asking the State’s Attorney General to take over the case.
Martins had told the court that the case file was taken back from Justice Ismail Ijelu by the Chief Judge.
The EFCC had filed a 10-count charge against Ibeto alongside his company, Ibeto Energy Development Company, before Justice Ijelu.
Also Read:
- Rebels will take over Africa — Primate Ayodele
- Rivers Sole Administrator orders payment of LG staff salaries
- 21-year-old accuses businessman of serial raping
- Police arrest two for allegedly exhuming corpses, selling parts for rituals
- Super Eagles’ coach demands more despite Rwanda win
Ijelu had on November 3, 2023 issued a bench warrant against Ibeto due to his incessant non-appearance in court.
The case also suffered a setback on October 5, 2023 when the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court of the absence of the defendant.
The case file was, therefore, re-assigned before Ogala.
The anti-graft commission said the alleged offences contravened 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.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
