An Ikeja High Court in Lagos on Tuesday dismissed an application by an oil marketer, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, seeking to quash a fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against him and three others.
The application was dismissed by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo for lack of merit.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Ogunbambo with N4.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
He was charged alongside, Mamman Ali, son of a former the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Ali; Christian Taylor; and a firm, Nassaman Oil Services.
The accused are facing a 13-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of forged documents.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Ogunbambo’s Counsel, Raphael Oluyede, apologised for his client’s absence and informed the court of the application to quash the charges.
Oluyede said that the application was brought pursuant to Section 66 (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He argued that EFCC had no power to prosecute the accused before a state high court.
Responding, Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that the application was premature and should be dismissed.
Oyedepo said that Ogunbambo could not at this stage be questioning the procedural power of the EFCC when plea had been taken and trial commenced.
In a ruling, the judge dismissed the application and adjourned the case till May 6 for continuation of trial.
Onigbanjo also directed the EFCC to execute the warrant of arrest he issued against Ogunbambo on February 10 for failing to appear in court in another fuel subsidy case.
In the other case, Ogunbambo is being prosecuted alongside another oil marketer, Habila Theck, over an alleged N979.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.
Trending
- Flights diverted as fire breaks out at Lagos International Airport
- 118 inmates escape as Suleja custodial centre fence collapses
- How FRSC reduced Road Traffic Crashes by 42% – Corps Marshal
- FCCPC uncovers prices in Yen as it grills Chinese supermarket owners + Photos
- Reporters detained for airing music, taking calls from girls
- German police arrest 11 Nigerians laundering money made from dating scam
- Fernandes digs Man U out of hole in win over Sheff United
- Akintoye to Afenifere: Yoruba wants self-determination, not restructuring