Admin I Monday, July 17, 2023
IKOYI, Lagos, Nigeria – Justice Tijjani Ringim of a Federal High Court in Lagos, has dismissed an application filed by a businessman, Kolawole Adebayo Erinle, challenging court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case of $1. 410 million fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The EFCC had dragged Erinle to court in suit number FHC/L/293c/2023, on charges bothering on conspiracy and obtaining the sum of $1,410, 000.00, by false pretence.
But while the charge was pending, the defendant through his lawyer, Lawal Pedro, SAN, filed an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
However, the application was vehemently opposed by the EFCC through his lawyer, Mr. Banjo Temitope, who urged the court to dismiss the application and ordered the defendant to appear before it and take his plea.
Ruling on the arguments canvassed by parties on the application, Justice Ringim held that the defendant must submit himself to the court and take his plea, before any application can be entertained.
Consequently, the judge dismissed the application for lack of merit, and ordered the defendant to appear before the court on October 12, to take his plea.
The defendant is currently standing trial before Justice Ramon Oshodi, of an Ikeja Special Offences Court in another fraud related charges.
He is being prosecuted before the court alongside his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of $1.410 million.
