Money laundering: More troubles for Lagos Speaker, Ikuforiji as court fixes september for his no-case submission

Ikuforiji

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till September 28, 2014 to rule on the no-case application submitted by the embattled Lagos State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who is standing trial for an alleged money laundering.

The court, SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt will also give a verdict on a similar application filed by Ikuforiji’s co-accused, Oyebode Atoyebi.

Justice Ibrahim Buba will decide on whether or not Ikuforiji and Atoyebi should proceed into the dock to present their defence against the amended 56 counts of money laundering preffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had alleged that Ikuforiji and Atoyebi laundered various sums cumulating into about N600m between April 2010 and July 2011.

The sums, which belonged to the Lagos State House of Assembly, were alleged to have been accessed by the duo without going through any financial institution.

The EFCC said the offences contravened section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004.

Ikuforiji and Atoyebi had pleaded not guilty to all the counts and had been granted bail in the sum of N1bn each with two sureties each in the sum of N500m each.

The EFCC prosecution team, led by Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), opened its case against the two accused on November 21, 2013 and closed it on June 20, 2014. It presented two witnesses in the process.

In response, the defence team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had on July 7, 2014 submitted a no-case application on behalf of Ikuforiji and Atoyebi.

In the no-case application, the accused persons prayed the court to discountenance all the arguments of the prosecution and to throw out the case for want of substance.

The court had fixed Friday, July 11, to rule of the no-case application.

At the resumed proceeding on Friday, however, Justice Buba announced that the judgment had yet to be concluded.

The judge, who said he would not want to do a “rushed job”, said the matter would be adjourned.

He sought the consent of the two parties for an early adjourned date within the court’s vacation period, which begins on Monday.

While the defence was willing to come for the ruling during the court’s recess, the prosecution, however, objected.

The court subsequently adjourned ruling on the application till after the vacation.

On September 28, 2014, Justice Buba will decide whether or not the EFCC has made a case strong enough for Ikuforiji and Atoyebi to proceed into the dock to defend themselves.

Punch -

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till September 28, 2014 to rule on the no-case application submitted by the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who is standing trial for an alleged money laundering. The court will also give a verdict on a similar application filed by Ikuforiji’s co-accused, Oyebode Atoyebi. Justice Ibrahim Buba will decide on whether or not Ikuforiji and Atoyebi should proceed into the dock to present their defence against the amended 56 counts of money laundering preffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The EFCC had alleged that Ikuforiji and Atoyebi laundered various sums cumulating into about N600m between April 2010 and July 2011. The sums, which belonged to the Lagos State House of Assembly, were alleged to have been accessed by the duo without going through any financial institution. The EFCC said the offences contravened section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004. Ikuforiji and Atoyebi had pleaded not guilty to all the counts and had been granted bail in the sum of N1bn each with two sureties each in the sum of N500m each. The EFCC prosecution team, led by Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), opened its case against the two accused on November 21, 2013 and closed it on June 20, 2014. It presented two witnesses in the process. In response, the defence team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had on July 7, 2014 submitted a no-case application on behalf of Ikuforiji and Atoyebi. In the no-case application, the accused persons prayed the court to discountenance all the arguments of the prosecution and to throw out the case for want of substance. The court had fixed Friday, July 11, to rule of the no-case application. At the resumed proceeding on Friday, however, Justice Buba announced that the judgment had yet to be concluded. The judge, who said he would not want to do a “rushed job”, said the matter would be adjourned. He sought the consent of the two parties for an early adjourned date within the court’s vacation period, which begins on Monday. While the defence was willing to come for the ruling during the court’s recess, the prosecution, however, objected. The court subsequently adjourned ruling on the application till after the vacation. On September 28, 2014, Justice Buba will decide whether or not the EFCC has made a case strong enough for Ikuforiji and Atoyebi to proceed into the dock to defend themselves. Punch - See more at: http://thebusinessdispatch.com/money-laundering-court-decides-ikuforijis-no-case-submission-sept/#sthash.baTXov6K.dpuf