The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said that contrary to reports by a section of the media, it has not been stopped by any court order from arraigning the boss of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Wale Babalakin.
The commission said the ruling by Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos, which many have construed as a restraining order, merely granted leave to Babalakin to apply for an order of prohibition preventing the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation from going ahead with his arraignment.
The EFCC said this was one of three prayers sought by Babalakin through an ex-parte application.
But Justice Idris turned down the two other prayers, which included an order to restrain the respondents from prosecuting the applicant.
A statement by the EFCC on Friday, signed by its acting spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said further: “Their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction against the EFCC and the AGF is scheduled to be heard on December 12, 2012.”
Babalakin was to have been arraigned on Thursday before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on money laundering charges but failed to show up, with the excuse that he suddenly took ill, leading to his hospitalization at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
The businessman and four others – Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited – are facing a 27-count charge for fraudulently transferring various sums of money on behalf of the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, through third parties to some foreign accounts under the guise of purchasing a Challenger Jet Aircraft.
Justice Onigbanjo has adjourned the case to December 12, 2012.
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