A Federal High Court in Lagos has set March 17, 2025, to rule on various applications challenging its jurisdiction over a 13-count charge filed against former First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) chairman, Oba Otudeko, and others.
The court fixed the date after hearing arguments from lawyers representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defendants.
While Otudeko was absent, former FBN Group Managing Director Stephen Olabisi Onasanya and former Honeywell Flour Mills PLC board member Soji Akintayo were present. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) represented the prosecution, while Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Oladipo Shasore (SAN), Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), and Ade Adedeji (SAN) appeared for the first to fourth defendants. Additionally, Jide Koku (SAN) represented the complainant, First Bank.
Olanipekun informed the court that Otudeko had filed an application dated January 28, 2025, explaining his absence. The application stated that Otudeko traveled to the United Kingdom for medical treatment on January 16, 2025, and arrived at Heathrow Airport the same day. Olanipekun emphasized that his departure was lawful and not an attempt to evade trial.
In response, Oyedepo noted that the case had been scheduled for the defendants’ arraignment and that the prosecution had complied with the court’s directive to serve them through substituted means.
Lawyers for the second, third, and fourth defendants, including Ogunwumiju (SAN), Adedeji (SAN), and Shasore (SAN), argued that the court should first address their jurisdictional challenge before proceeding with the case. Ogunwumiju (SAN), in an application dated February 10, 2025, requested the court to dismiss or decline jurisdiction over counts 1 to 10, citing an abuse of judicial process and a lack of prima facie evidence.
He further sought an order restraining the EFCC and its agents from arresting, detaining, harassing, or molesting the third defendant while the application was pending.
Additionally, he asked the court to strike out the third defendant’s name from the charge, arguing that the evidence provided did not implicate him in any of the alleged offenses.
However, EFCC prosecutor Oyedepo countered, stating that the charges stemmed from a thorough investigation that revealed the first and second defendants had conspired to defraud First Bank. He maintained that the charges were properly filed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and that the prosecution was not required to submit an affidavit confirming the completion of the investigation before filing charges.
Oyedepo asserted that the court had the authority and jurisdiction to hear all the charges in the case.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aneke adjourned the matter to March 17 for a ruling.
