Again, Lagos CJ reassigns Akingbola/EFCC case September 20, 2013 by Comfort Oseghale Dr Erastus Akingbola The trial of a former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, was stalled once again on Thursday, due to the transfer of the case to a new trial judge, Justice Babajide Lawal-Akapo. Lawal-Akapo is the third judge to try the theft charges preferred against Akingbola and his associate, Mr. Bayo Dada, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission within the last two years. Akingbola is standing trial on a 22-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of N47.1bn belonging to the Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank Plc), at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja. He was first arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru in 2011. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties in like sum. Dada was also granted a N50m bail with two sureties in like sum. The trial was at the stage of adoption of final written addresses by both parties when Abiru was suddenly elevated to the Court of Appeal. Subsequently, Akingbola and Dada were re-arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on February 26, 2012 and the case, started afresh. Both men once again, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail with the same terms earlier given to them by Abiru. Following the transfer of Onigbanjo to the commercial court, from the criminal court of the Lagos Judiciary, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, transferred Akingbola’s case file to Lawal-Akapo. As a result, the trial is again for the third time, beginning afresh with the newly re-assigned Lawal-Akapo. At the resumed hearing by the last trial judge Onigbanjo on Thursday, both the prosecution and defendants were not in court. The new date for the commencement of Akingbola’s trial is expected to be announced by Lawal-Akapo, next Friday.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 04:44:52 +0000
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