Court adjourns trial of former Punch Editor,  Ishekwene to December

LAGOS, Nigeria – Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court in Ikeja  today adjourned the trial of former Executive Director of the Punch Newspaper, Mr. Azubike Ishiekwene, and Olalekan Abdul till December 2.

Justice Dada  adjourned the matter at the instance of the defense counsel, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), who prayed for adjournment to enable him present series of letter written to Keystone Bank by Olalekan Abdul.

At the resumption of trial today, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Counsel, Mr. Mohammed Idris led in evidence, a Keystone Bank Officer, Oluwaseun Alademomi who testified on various bank documents.

Azubuike was charged alongside Olalekan Abdul, Adeyinka Adewale (absent) and Morakinyo Bolanle (now at large).

The duo were arraigned on an amended 15-count charge, bordering on forgery, conspiracy to forge, using false documents, making documents without authority and obtaining money by false pretence.

EFCC told court that the defendants used a false document titled: “Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution Limited” dated 27th day of September, 2010 to open an account with Keystone Bank Plc formerly known has Bank PHB as genuine.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendants with intent to defraud,  obtained credit facility for Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution in the sum of N350,000,000.00 by false pretence from Wema Bank by falsely representing to them that the “Board Resolution of Cleanserve Integrated Energy Solution” dated 14th December, 2010 as genuine which representations they knew to be false.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC.