N500M Scam: EFCC Counsel Frustrates Justice Okeke’s Bid To Set Free Lagos Speaker, Ikuforiji



Desperate moves by Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the federal high court, Lagos to quash the money laundering charges brought against Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Sabitun Ikuforiji were again thwarted today by the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Godwin Obla, who told the trial judge that he was withdrawing from the case in protest against the suspicious manner the judge has been handling the trial.

Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi are facing trial on a 20 count criminal charge of money laundering before Justice Okechukwu Okeke. iReports-ng.com had earlier in the case reported that the judge has been heavily bribed to quash the charge. One of Okeke’s associates who called our office in the United States denied the bribery allegation but failed to come forward with any evidence to prove the judge’s innocence.

Further investigations by iReports-ng.com revealed that the latest desperation by Justice Okeke was due to another bribe he just collected as a retirement benefit from the embattled Speaker. Okeke is due for retirement next month, May 2013. He was recently asked to send the name of a proxy who was given a multi-million naira consultancy contract by the Lagos State House of Assembly for onward transfer of the cash to Justice Okeke. The Assembly is notorious for moving out public funds through fictitious and bogus award of consultancy contracts.

Overwhelmed by the huge sum of money realised from the latest bribe, Justice Okeke upped his scheme to conclude the case before his May retirement. In a unprecedented manner, Justice Okeke at the last court session on March 25th, the trial judge adjourned the case in a manner that gave out his motive. He adjourned the case to April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2013 for continuation of trial.

Already working on an intelligence report on the deal between Justice Okeke and Ikuforiji, the EFCC through its counsel came up today with another storyline for Okeke to enable him hands-off the case for an uncompromised judge to handle. iReports-ng.com’s very reliable source in Justice Okeke’s court said ” from the tone of the letter written by the EFCC lawyer,Barrister Obla, it is clear to my Lordship that these people know his game plan and they are playing it well with him. Take for instance, the EFCC counsel wrote the court registrar saying that he’s withdrawing from the case but added sarcastically that he regrets that he wont be able to appear before his lordship before the month of May when his lordship is expected to retire from the bench.”

Our source’s claim was also confirmed at the court sitting where an EFCC official, A. M Yusuf told the court that Obla had written a letter of withdrawal from the case. He said Obla, in his letter dated April 5, 2013 withdrew from the case based on the fact that the manner in which the court fixed dates for the trial would deny him the ability to diligently prosecute the case. According to Yusuf, the letter was filed and served on all parties on April 8, informing them of the withdrawal. He therefore prayed the court to grant a three week adjournment to enable the EFCC get another counsel to take over prosecution of the case.

Reacting to the development, defence counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Tunde Akinrimisi told the court that the prosecutor had exhibited a high level of indifference in handling the matter since its commencement, eventhough they are quite aware of why the prosecution has been trying to frustrate Okeke’s bid to quash the case.

Obviously overwhelmed that his game is already exposed, Justice Okeke in his brief ruling today succumbed to the prosecution’s superior wit and adjourned till April 24,2013.

In the charge preferred against them, the defendants allegedly conspired between April 2010 and July 2011, to commit the illegal act of accepting cash payments totaling N273.3 million from the Lagos House of Assembly without going through a financial institution. EFCC also alleged that Ikuforiji used his position to misappropriate about N500 million of the House’s funds.It stated that the offences contravened Section 18(a) of the money laundering (prohibition) Act 2011.

However, the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges. While the court had granted Ikuforiji bail on self recognition, his personal assistant was admitted to bail with the Clerk of the House standing as surety.