8th October, 2013
Henry Ojelu
Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, western Nigeria today issued a bench warrant on two oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, over their non-appearance in court for their trial.
The duo are standing trial alongside Abdullahi Alao, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao for an alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
The three defendants and their firms Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the continuation of the matter today, both Ajuyah and Olalusi were absent from court.
Olalusi was however represented by a lawyer, Mr C.Z. Katung while Alao was physically present.
Mrs Olubunmi Bosede, counsel to the EFCC, said no formal notice was sent to the prosecution regarding the absence of the two defendants.
She asked the court to issue a bench warrant on them.
The judge acceded to her request and consequently issued the bench warrant on the marketers.
The matter was adjourned till tomorrow for further hearing.