7th January, 2014
The case of transacting financial business without going through any financial institution preferred against the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, southwest, Nigeria, Mr. Sabitu Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his Personal Assistant, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi, took a dramatic turn this morning as the Speaker has hired Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to lead his team of lawyers to defend him in the case.
When the case was mentioned for continuation of trial, Chief Olanipekun told the court that he has just been briefed, therefore he needed some time to study the case file.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission’s prosecutor, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) did not raise any objection.
Consequently, the presiding judge Ibrahim Buba adjourned till 19 March this year for the trial to resume.
Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Atoyebi are standing trial before the court on twenty count charge of accepting various sums of money on behalf of the Lagos State house of Assembly without going through any financial institution.
So far Chief Obla has called one witness Adeniyi Adebayo who is an EFCC operative.
—Akin Kuponiyi