Nigeria, Oct 7, 2016 – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today struck out application brought before it by counsel to 1st to 3rd defendants, namely Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs and Adedamola Bolodeoku for the court to enter not guilty plea for 4th to 7th defendants.
The 1st to 3rd defendants had entered not guilty plea while the 4th to 7th defendants, namely Pluto Property and Investment Ltd, Seagate Property Development & Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Properties Development Company Limited, represented by their directors pleaded guilty to the 15 count charge bothering on forgery, stealing and money laundering, a development that counsels to 1st to 3rd defendants perceived as counterproductive.
During the hearing in September 15, 2016, the 4th to 7th defendants, Pluto Property and Investment Ltd, Seagate Property Development & Investment Company Ltd, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Properties Development Company Limited, represented by their directors all pleaded guilty to the 15 count charge bothering on forgery, stealing and money laundering, while the 1st to 3rd defendants, namely Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs and Adedamola Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty.
The defence team, led by Tochukwu Onyuike had argued that his Lordship lacked the jurisdiction to enter guilty plea for the 4th to 7th defendants since they will lose nothing if a not guilty plea is entered for them as non-legal entities.
He also raised objections to the propriety of the EFCC to charge the 4th to 7th defendants who have the mandate to run their companies for allegedly forging their own signatures in a criminal case.
The defence team also filed an appeal on jurisdiction of the court.
Ruling on the matter, His Lordship, Judge Babatunde Kuewumi upheld the arguments of the Prosecution, Mr. Rotimi Oyedapo Iseoluwa that the applications amount to nothing but gross abuse of court process and dismissed the applications.
He also fixed November 2, 2016 for hearing.
