The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikeja High Court

  • Lagos prophet must face trial over dud cheque, court rules

    An Ikeja high court on Monday declared that a Lagos Prophet, Samson Ayorinde of the World Evangelism Bible Church, must face trial over over the issuance of N118 million dud cheque.

    Justice Justice Yetunde Adesanya in a ruling dismissed the fundamental rights application filed by  the Registered Trustees of World Evangelism Incorporated alongside Prophet Samson Ayorinde and Rev. Harold Chinoyerem of the same church seeking to restrained the Nigeria Police from arresting them over the issuance of N118 million dud cheque.

    The court held that held that police cannot be restrained from inviting, arresting and detaining the applicant in the course of its investigation.

    The judge held that restraining the law enforcement agency from arresting a person alleged to have committed an offence amount to abuse of judicial power.

    Ayorinde and other applicants had instituted a fundamental rights suit marked D/6724MFHR/2018 before the court seeking a declaration that their harassment, intimidation, threat of arrest, detention and invitation by the police at the instance of some people was violation of the fundamental rights to personal liberty as guaranteed under section 34 and 35 of Nigeria constitution.

    The suit was filed through their lawyer, Emmanuel B. Benjamin

    The respondents in the suit are  Mr. Oludare Amos Aturamu, Mrs. Kemi Adesanya, Smart Link Property Services, Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in-charge of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Panti, Lagos, and officer-charge of Assistant Commissioner Section, and SP Alhaji Aminu of SCIID, Panti, Lagos as first to seventh respondents respectively.

    The prophet and others are also asking the court to restrain the police, their agents, privies, servants from inviting, arresting, detaining, harassing and molesting or any manner infringing on their rights and an order restraining the police from publishing their names in any police bulletin or any medium for the purpose of declaring them wanted.

    The applicants also prayed the court to order the police to pay them the sum of N4 million, as compensation for breach of their fundamental rights.

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    However, the police in an affidavit filed before the court, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    Counsel to the Police, Mr. Samsideen Adebesin averred in the affidavit that police received a petition from Aturamu, Adesanya and Smart Link Services, wherein they alleged that Ayorinde obtained a loan of N30 million from them sometime in August 2016 for the expansion of his church, with the promise that the loan will be refunded within two months with interest rate of 30 percent.

    The police added that in the petition, the petitioners alleged that not quite long after the loan was granted to Ayorinde,  he travelled out for medical vacation to attend to his health, only to come back to the country in July 2017.

    The police averred that when Ayorinde could not repay the loan, the interest rate was reduced to 22.5 percent as a mark of good gesture by the petitioners.

    The police also stated that Ayorinde was being investigated on a criminal complaint of issuance of dud cheques and upon receiving the complaint, Ayorinde did not present himself to the police.

    Rather, it said sometimes in August 2017, Ayorinde volunteered a statement in reaction to the allegation against him and he was granted administrative bail.

    However, contrary to the applicant claim, the judge held that, “on the totality of the foregoing that  there has been no harassment, intimidation, threat of arrest or detention of the applicants.

    “I must also find and hold that the police cannot be restrain from inviting, arresting (where necessary) and detained the first and third applicants in the in the course of its investigation as prescribed by law”, the court held.

     

  • Sex video tape played in Lagos court

    Proceedings in an Ikeja High Court took an unusual dimension on Monday when an excerpt of a sex video tape between a married father of three and his ex-lover was played in the courtroom.

    The father of three, Peter Omokaro, is an ex-banker, while his ex-lover, Titilayo Nosa-Igiebor, is a businesswoman.

    Omokaro who is in his early 60s had sued Nosa-Igiebor,  33, over her non-payment of an alleged N15 million loan he gave her during their relationship.

    The tape was played when Mr Victor Okpara, counsel to Nosa-Igiebor, led her in evidence.

    The video which played for more than an hour showed Omokaro and Nosa-Igiebor lying in bed in a hotel room, agreeing to the terms of the `loan’ before engaging in sexual intercourse.

    Omokaro could be heard in the video, before signing the agreement, saying: “I hope I am not signing my death warrant.”

    He was also heard telling Nosa-Igiebor that he had no intention of getting the loan back.

    The defendant’s counsel tendered a copy of the loan agreement in evidence.

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    The counsel told the court that Clause Five of the agreement exempted Nosa-Igiebor from repaying the alleged loan

    Clause Five of the agreement, which pertains to waiver of rights, states: “Peter forever waives all rights to loan payback, forfeiting totally loan given if Titilayo agrees to and has sexual intercourse with Peter.”

    Earlier in her evidence, the defendant told the court that Omokaro never gave her the N15 million although he promised to give her without collecting it back.

    The businesswoman testified that Omokaro became vindictive after their relationship turned sour.

    She told the court that the ex-banker intended to punish her for the soured relationship by taking her to court.

    While being cross-examined by Mr Jerry Omoregbe, counsel to Omokaro, the defendant testified that besides being Omokaro’s lover, she had a business relationship with him through her company, Tilimanjaro Nig. Ltd. and Nichole Integrated Ltd. (Omokaro’s company).

    “Tilimanjaro was my first company. I had no prior experience; I was still setting up at the time. I went to meet Peter, my boyfriend at the time, to assist me in giving my brother, Ahmed, money for aviation school.

    “Peter, my boyfriend, said that he would give me the money as a gift and that we should draft an agreement so that my brother could see that it was serious and take his schooling serious.

    “He invited me to the hotel as shown in the video. He agreed that I should make the agreement, and I drafted the agreement in my letterhead. The agreement was between Peter Imafidon Omokaro and Titilayo Nosa-Igiebor.

    “The friendly loan was never given to me. That agreement was signed on May 15, 2011, which was a Tuesday. He said he would pay the money into my brother’s account on Thursday but he never did,” she said.

    Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case until Feb. 20, 2019, for adoption of written addresses.

    Omokaro had accused Nosa-Igiebor of stealing his Toyota Venza 2010 model with registration number CT370FKJ valued at N2 million as well as N106 million.

    Nosa-Igiebor was initially arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos in April 2012 and remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons following her failure to meet her bail conditions.

    The former lovers later agreed to settle their dispute out of court, with Nosa-Igiebor returning the car and other property given to her by Omokaro during their relationship.

    However, Omokaro instituted a civil suit against Nosa-Igiebor before an Ikeja High Court following her failure to refund the alleged N15 million loan.

    He had submitted that he gave the defendant the loan as a business partner and not a lover.

    The ex-banker also told the court that the loan was not a gift but  meant to be paid back.

    NAN

  • Court strikes out fraud charges against Innoson Motors’ boss

    An Ikeja High Court on Wednesday struck out a fraud charge preferred against the chairman of Innoson Motors Nigeria Limited, Innocent Chukuwuma (aka Innoson) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Olusola Williams struck out the case after EFCC failed to produce Innoson in court to face trial.

    The EFCC had sued Innoson and his company before the court in January 2018, on charges bordering on fraud,  conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

    However, Innoson did not appear in court to take his plea throughout the pendency of the suit in spite of repeated orders, including a warrant for his arrest.

    Ruling on the matter on Wednesday, Justice Williams said that it is the responsibility of the EFCC to produce Innoson but they never did.

    “This court is not an investigator or a prosecutor. This court cannot waste precious judicial time prosecuting a matter that is going nowhere.

    “This is a criminal matter that can be instituted anytime the prosecution is ready.  The court hereby strikes out the matter,” the Judge held.

    Earlier during proceedings,  EFCC counsel,  Ms Zainab Ettu informed the court that Innoson has being hiding from the anti graft agency.

    “My Lord,  the defendant has being giving briefs to counsels but has never deemed it fit to appear in court.

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    “While we continue to pursue the arrest of the defendant,  it behooves on the defendant’s counsels as ministers in the temple of Justice to produce their client.

    “If they can collect briefs from him,  then they should know where he is,” Ettu said, adding that the anti graft agency is optimistic about arresting Innoson.

    “We already have a warrant for his arrest,  as the court has declared him wanted.  The counsels to the defendant have brought numerous applications,  trying to stall the matter” Ettu added.

    Responding,  Innoson’s counsel, Professor J.N Mbaduga told the court that the EFCC filed a similar suit marked FHC/L/565c before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

    “While the suit was still pending,  the EFCC went ahead and filed another suit with the same subject matter against the defendants.

    “Some of the facts arising from the case have even proceeded before the Supreme Court. We raised a preliminary objection citing abuse of court processes. We also raised objections on the grounds that the defendant has not been served with the charges.

    “My Lord until the EFCC can produce the defendant in court,  the court cannot exercise any jurisdiction over the defendant,”  he said.

    Justice Mojisola Dada also of Ikeja High Court had, on June 22, excused herself from  the matter  on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    Also efforts by the anti-graft agency to arraign Innoson before Justice Dada, on five consecutive occasions, failed despite being declared wanted on May 23 and also issuance of a bench warrant by the court.

    Rather than appear in court to take his plea, Innoson forwarded a petition to the NJC against Justice Dada dated February 12, alleging bias.

    However,  the NJC, through a letter signed by its Secretary, Mr Ahmed Saleh and dated March 9, absolved Justice Dada of any wrongdoing and advised that the matter be returned to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge consequent upon which the matter was reassigned to Justice Williams.

    EFCC had alleged that Innoson fraudulently induced staff of Mitsui OSK and Maersk Line to deliver to them via their clearing agents the goods which were imported from China in the name of GTB by falsely pretending that they were authorized by the bank to clear the goods.

    The offences, according to the EFCC, are in contravention of Sections 1(1)(b), 1(3), and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2016 and Sections 309(9), 388, 465 and 467(1)(j) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State 2003.

  • Court jails kidnapper 42 years

    After six years of trial, an Ikeja High Court on Monday sentenced a kidnapper, Emeka Obasim to 42 years imprisonment for the kidnap of Jude Ugoje and Miss Piriye Ogogo.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo handed down the sentence after finding the convict guilty of three count charge out of the 12-count charges preferred against him by Lagos state government.

    Emeka Obasim, 33, was convicted on three-count charges bordering on Kidnapping, Conspiracy and Armed robbery, contrary to sections 231, 221 and 269 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    He was arraigned alongside four other defendants before the court six years ago on a 12-count bordering on Kidnapping, Murder, Conspiracy, Armed robbery, sexually molestation.

    The other defendants charged with Obasim are: Kelvin Emenike Ukoh 32, Uche Ubani 28, Chibuzor Osuagwu 29, Onowu Nzozi 37.

    In her judgment Justice Taiwo discharged the convict and three others of the charge of murder however found him guilty of the kidnap, conspiracy and armed robbery charges.

    According to the judge, the court is of the opinion that the fourth defendant, Emeka Obasim and the 1st defendant who is now at large are part of the kidnap gang.

    “I hereby convict the defendant, Emeka Obasim of three count charge of kidnap, Conspiracy and armed robbery.

    “For the kidnap charge, he is sentenced to 16 years imprisonment, conspiracy 5-years and Armed Robbery 21 years. The sentences will run concurrently”, she said.

    The judge also ordered the counsel to present the 1st defendant, Ukoh, who is currently at large for sentencing whenever he is arrested.

    She however discharged and acquainted Kelvin Emenike, Uche Ubani and Onowu Nzozi of the charges.

    Justice Taiwo warned the trio that was discharged to desist from the crime; else they find themselves in court again.

    “You might not be this lucky the next time, so run away from crime”, she said.

    Earlier, the prosecution team led by Mrs K.O Sarumi had told the court that the convict and other defendants committed the crime in August, 2012 at  about 8pmin Festac Town in Lagos.

    Sarumi said they kidnapped one Mr Jude Ugoji and his colleague Piriye Ogogo after the close of the day’s work.

    Jude who was the first prosecution witness had narrated to the court how he was kidnapped.

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    “I was attacked on my way back from work when I pulled over to drop -off my colleague who usually join me on my way home.

    “I was attacked by armed men and taken to an uncompleted building in an unknown place.
    They blind folded me while I was being taken away. They also asked me for the contact of someone that can pay for my ransom.

    “I gave them the phone number of my MD, and they demanded the sum of N10 million  from him, and after much negotiations, they agreed to collect the sum of N5 million which was paid to them.

    “The ransom was paid by my MD’s brother Paul Cole.

    Another Victim Piriye, who also gave evidence before  the court said she was in the same car with Jude when he was kidnapped and one of the kidnappers, the fourth defendant molested her by fondling her breasts and he only left her when she told him that she was on her menstruation and have to dip her finger into her pants to show him the blood.

    Piriye further told the court that the gang also took away her belongings including her phone, salary, jewelries and her handbag.

    While pleading for leniency, the defence prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy and pass a light sentence on him.

    “My lord, he is a young man, he has learnt his lessons, he has been in detention for over five years, we urge my Lord to show him mercy,” he said.

     

  • Evans: Court rules September 26 on admissibility of confessional statement

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court will on September 26, 2018 rule on the admissibility of confessional statement made by the alleged billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans.

    The trial judge fixed the date after listening to the arguments of counsels on the admissibility of the confessional statement made to the police when Evans was arrested.

    Earlier at the resumed hearing of the matter, Evans new counsel, Mr Chino Obiagwu had prayed the court for short adjournment to enable him study the case file.

    The counsel to the fifth and sixth defendants, Agwulanna Uzoukwu and Emmanuel Ochai opposed the request for adjournment, stating that several adjournments have been affecting their clients liberty.

    The trial judge, Justice Oshodi, agreed with the submission of Uzoukwu and Ochai and declined the request for adjournment by Obiagwu and advised him against filing frivolous application.

    “I cannot come from home during vacation to be told that the matter will not go on for one excuses or the other. Counsel should desists from filling frivolous application targeting at stalling the trial. Parties must get their witness ready so that justice will be served within reasonable time frame.”

    He ordered prosecution for the continuation of the trial.

    Read Also: Evans asks court to quash criminal charges

    It would be recalled that proceedings of June 26 was put on hold as a result of a new counsel, Mr. Noel Brown who took over from Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje who was counsel on commencement of Evans” trial.

    Evans is standing trial alongside Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

    They were arraigned on August 30, 2017, on two count charges of conspiracy and kidnapping of the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, Donatus Dunu, from whose family they allegedly collected €223,000 (N100m) as ransom.

    They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Mr Adebayo Haroun led the witness,  Inspector, Idowu Haruna , who is a member of Intelligent Response Team (IRT) that arrested the defendants and conducted investigation to narrate the outcome of the investigations.

    Inspector Haruna in his testimony told the court that his five-man team took over the investigation from Lagos State Command based on the directives of the Inspector General of Police which led to the arrest of all the defendants.

    He said upon their arrest, the defendants made confessional statements was under a conducive environment and without duress.

    The prosecution however sought to tender in evidence the confectional statement of first defendant (Evans) together with video recording of his statement.

    Evans counsel, Obiagwu opposed it as a result of which Justice Oshodi ordered a trial within trial.

    During the trial within trial, Haruna told the court that Evans was cautioned before volunteered his statement under conducive environment.

    “His statement was not recorded under duress. I did not promise him anything before he volunteered his statement. The environment was very relaxed and he (Evans) confirmed telling me the truth. At that time, nobody was armed and nothing was used to threaten him. His statement was also video recorded and it was later transferred into compact disc (CD).”

    The prosecution counsel therefore requested to show the video in the open court to prove that Evans voluntarily made the statement.

    Again Obiagwu opposed it saying that the document does not comply with the Section 84 of the Evidence Act.

    Prosecution Haroun, in his response contended that the video complied with section 84 (4)(C) and Dickson V Sylva & Ors  2016 LPELR.

    Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned for continuation of trial and ruling on the admissibility of the document.

  • Court remands music label boss ‘for defrauding U.S. firm’

    An Ikeja High Court in Lagos Thursday remanded the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canbit Music, Olusegun Ake, in prison custody for allegedly defrauding an American company, Renovate America Incorporated.

    Justice Oyindamola Ogala made the order following Ake’s plea of not guilty to a 21-count charge of fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Read Also:Court remands businessman for ‘impersonating U.S. Attorney-General’

    The judge adjourned at the instance of EFCC counsel, Babatunde Sonaiki, pending the conclusion of plea bargain talks between the defendant and the anti-graft agency.

    Earlier, Sonaiki alleged that the defendant defrauded Renovate America through a new type of phishing called Ijobak.

    Ijobak lures human resources, accounting and payroll staff of a company to disclose vital details of all the employees in the company.

    Ake, who is also the owner of Canbit Resources (Nig.) Limited, Istartup Enterprise and Volta Company, allegedly impersonated Renovate CEO, Steven Bannett, hacked the company’s system, stole vital information often referred to as ‘W-2s’ and sold same to the ‘dark world’.

    The court also heard that the defendant allegedly printed some American bank cheques, which he presented as evidence of payment to his victims online.

  • Court remands businessman for ‘impersonating U.S. Attorney-General’

    An Ikeja High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a businessman, Khareem Oluwaseyi, who allegedly defrauded people by impersonating United States Attorney-General, Jeff Sessions online.

    Vacation judge Justice Oyindamola Ogala remanded Oluwaseyi in prison custody following his plea of not guilty to a five-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.

    She adjourned till September 10 to hear the defendant’s bail application.

    The defendant was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which said he committed the offences on June 29 in Lagos.

    EFCC counsel, Mr A.M. Ocholi, alleged that Oluwaseyi contravened Sections 1(3) and 68(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    Ocholi added: “The defendant goes by the alias Jeff Sessions and using the moniker, he created an e-mail address jeffsessions54@gmail.com.

    “He had in his possession an e-mail correspondence containing false pretence titled: “Grant Money”, which he sent from that e-mail address to compbellellaine390@gmail.com, the e-mail address of an unsuspecting victim.

    “Oluwaseyi had in his possession another e-mail correspondence titled: ‘Grant’ which he sent from his Jeff Sessions e-mail address to tomzglamorously@gmail.comwhich he knew contained false pretence.

    “He also had sent an e-mail: titled “no subject” which he sent to daphebarney3@gmail.com, knowing same to be false.”

    According to the prosecutor, Oluwaseyi was also allegedly nabbed with a fraudulent document titled: “National Endowment for Humanities”.

  • Court remands three for ‘theft of $46,940 helicopter parts’

    An Ikeja High Court in Lagos Thursday remanded in prison three businessmen, Anietei Obong, Akaninyene Okpoho and James Dottie, following their arraignment for alleged theft of helicopter spare parts worth $46,940 (about N16,898,400).

    The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi docked the trio before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge of stealing, conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, forgery of incorporation documents and uttering of false incorporation documents.

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    It alleged that they sold the parts to a United States buyer.

    Prosecuting Counsel Benneth Benedict alleged that the trio stole the parts from Bristol Helicopters Nig. Ltd premises at the General Aviation Terminal, Muritala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, from 2016 to 2017.

    Benedict said: “The defendants stole by fraudulently converting to their use and benefit, several helicopter spare parts.

    “The spare parts include – integrated instrument display, transceiver, valve kit, NG dual indicator, symbol generator and tail rotor servo.”

    He listed the other spare parts to include tail rotor blade, fuel control unit, antenna radar and display unit.

    Benedict added: “The businessmen conspired to effect the unlawful and unauthorised sale of the several helicopter spare parts to one Mr. Frank of Great Lake Air Support, a company in the United States.

    “The defendants forged a registered company incorporation name as well as documents entitled ‘Sales Invoice’ and ‘Export Invoice’ in the company name of Sammy Global Ltd.

    “They used the false documents to export and sell the several spare parts to Frank, their U.S.-based buyer.”

    In another instance, the prosecutor alleged that they uttered the false documents through the use of computer systems stationed in Lagos.

    According to him, the offences contravened sections 383(1), 390(9), 465, 467(2)(i) and 518(6) of the Criminal Code, 2004.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Benedict prayed the court to remand them in prison and fix a date for trial.

    But counsel to Obong and Okpoho, Mr Alli Abbah, and counsel to Dottie, Mr Tope Temokun, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable them to apply for bail.

    Ruling, Justice Oyindamola remanded the defendants in prison and adjourned till September 11 for ruling on their bail applications.

  • Man arraigned for impersonating Lara George

    A 24-year-old computer engineer, Ayodeji Folarin, was on Thursday docked at an Ikeja High Court for impersonating the famous gospel artiste, Lara George, and defrauded three Americans of $8,500 in the process.

    Folarin is facing a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses and possession of documents containing false pretense.

    The charges were proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The computer engineer, who resides at No. 2, Folarin St., Obada Oko in Abeokuta, Ogun, however, denied the charges.

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    Mr Temitope Banjo, the prosecuting counsel to the EFCC, told the court that the defendant defrauded the foreigners between January and December 2016 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “While posing as Lara George and with the intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $8,500 from Trevor Dawe, Rick Cuewo and Stephen Wilson who are all citizens of the United States of America.

    “On June 2018, Folarin had in his possession, a World Lottery Organization Winning Certificate and Affidavit of Common Law Marriage which all contained false pretenses.

    “The defendant also had in his possession emails containing false pretenses,” Banjo said.

    According to the EFCC, the offences contravened Sections 1(3), 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

    Following Folarin’s plea, his defence counsel, Mr Samuel Shodipo, requested that bail be granted to the defendant in the most liberal terms.

    The vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons.

    Justice Adamson directed that the case file should also be taken to the Court Registry for assignment to another judge who will hear the case

  • EFCC arraigns oil marketers for alleged diversion, theft of N1.042billion

    An Ikeja high court heard Monday how two oil marketers, David Nwachukwu, Frank Okeke allegedly diverted N1.042billion meant for rentals accrued to a leasing company and haulage services of three companies for personal use.

    Nwachukwu and Okeke are facing a 14 count charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing contrary to section 409 and punishable under 281(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2011 preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Raliat Adebiyi.

    They were arraigned before the court alongside their companies, Haulage Oil and Gas and Franviok Limited.

    The defendants were also charged for retention of proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 17 (b) of the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004.

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    Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a witness of the commission, Orji Chukwuma told the court that a petition, written by Leasing Company of Nigeria Limited  (now LECON financial Service Limited) over alleged diversion of funds was assigned to his team to investigate.

    He said, “Upon receiving the petition, a lot of investigations were carried out. We investigated staff of Total Plc, LECON, Bank of Industry. We recovered some documents such as internal memo. Some of the people we interrogated made statements. I came across one Bassy Effiong, we interviewed him on the product he sold.

    “We also invited OANDO in the cause of investigation and there was exchange of correspondents. Forte Oil, Eternal Plc also gave us their statement and the agreement between the Eternal Plc with the third defendant”, he added.

    Oyedepo asked the court to admit the documents in evidence.

    The court granted his request and admitted a letter dated March 27, 2015 written by Eternal Plc to the Head of Operation, EFCC and another written by Forte Oil to EFCC among other documents as exhibit p1 to p36.

    Justice Adebiyi subsequently adjourned further hearing till October 2, 2018.

    Nwachukwu,  Okeke and their companies were alleged to have sometimes between November 2011 and September 2014, with dishonest intent converted to their own use a total sum of N1,042,810, 463.54, which formed part of rentals accrued to Leasing Company of Nigeria Limited (now LECON financial Service Limited).

    The money, the anti-graft agency said was for the use of their truck to provide haulage services for Eternal Oil Plc, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc and also for the use of Mack Trucks in their fleets to provide haulage services for Total Nigeria Plc and Forte Oil Plc.