20th January, 2014
The re-arraignment of the former BankPHB Managing Director, Francis Atuche, and the former managing Director of Spring Bank, Charles Ojo, before a Federal High Court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, was stalled Monday due to the absence of EFCC prosecuting counsel.
When the case was mentioned the two accused bankers were in court with their counsel Ricky Tarfa who was leading five other lawyers. However, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, who is the prosecuting counsel, was not in court.
The two accused persons were supposed to be re-arraigned before a new judge, Saliu Saidu who is now handling the case.
Atuche and Ojo were first arraigned before Justice Akinjide Ajakaiye on 8 October 2009. The case was transferred after Justice Ajakaiye retired.
In a 45-count criminal charge filed before the court it was alleged that the two accused bank executives did not only grant credit facility above their limit but the loans running into biillions of naira were not adequately secured.
Justice Saidu adjourned the matter till 20 February, 2014 when the two accused will be re-arraingned.
—Akin Kuponiyi