By SCM Staff Writer
IKEJA, Lagos – The arraignment of Ufoma Joseph Immanuel and Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited over alleged fraud was stalled at the Lagos State High Court due to non-service of court documents on the defendant.
The defendants are facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and forgery, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When the case was called, EFCC Counsel, Mr Emenike Mgbemele, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment.
However, proceedings could not go on because the information had not been served on the defendant.
Defence Counsel, Mr Oluwaseun Awonuga (SAN), confirmed the development, noting that the defence was yet to receive the relevant court processes necessary for arraignment.
The trial judge, Mojisola Dada, consequently adjourned the case until March 11 for arraignment.
Immediately after proceedings, Awonuga was fingered in alleged prevention of EFCC from re-arresting Ufoma, as he blocked the right of passage of the lead prosecution counsel Mgbemele to call upon security personnels from taken the defendant to the custody.
Irked by this move, the prosecution openly challenged the learned silk and the heated arguments that ensued between the two counsels attracted the attention of many lawyers, staffers and litigants.
“I was going to call our security operatives or prison service personnels to arrest and detain the defendant before the next adjournment date but you are preventing my rights of passage. I could have even apprehend him but you did not allow me. You are the one who aided the escape of the defendant,” prosecution lamented.
One of the EFCC lawyers who came after the defendant had ran away from the scene and did not want his name in print said,
“This is ridiculous! How can a senior lawyer be aiding and abetting the defendant.
“It was a pity that the counsel who is representing the commission came from Abuja and not in Lagos. It was very difficult for them to get the defendant to the court and see what is happening here today,” the EFCC lawyer said.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly obtained the sum of 1.5 million dollars from AdebisI Adebutu of R28 Holdings Limited between April 2022 and October 2023 under false pretences.
The prosecution alleged that the money was paid as investment in a proposed petroleum development project, with assurances of reimbursement, payment of development capital fee, and allocation of shares in Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited.
The EFCC further accused the first defendant of forging a document titled “Term Sheet,” purportedly executed by Sherrif Oluwo and Olaniran Osotuyi, to facilitate the transaction.
The offences are said to contravene Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as Sections 363 and 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Justice Dada thereafter adjourned the matter until April 11 for arraignment of the defendant.
