Cross Country Transport Boss, Okorodudu Knows Fate 8 April

Henry Ojelu

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed 8 April, 2014 for a ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking a bench warrant against Chairman of Cross Country Transport Company,  Mr. Bube Okorodudu.

Okorodudu is facing trial before the court over his alleged involvement in a N82.9 million theft.

The EFCC alleged that Okorodudu and his company stole the N82.9m which was the sales proceeds  from  17 units of Volkswagen Transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Ltd.

At today’s proceeding, EFCC lawyer Emmanuel Jackson requested the court to issue a bench warrant against Okorodudu for failing to appear for his trial.

The EFCC contended that for two occasions now, Okorodudu has failed to show up to take his plea on the charges filed against him.

Okorodudu’s lawyer,  Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), however, objected to the application, insisting that there is a subsisting application by his client challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

He argued that the proper procedure was for the court to first resolve the issue of jurisdiction before ruling on EFCC’s application for bench warrant.

Chief Clarke further argued that the court cannot make pronouncement on a case where  its jurisdiction is still being challenged.

After listening to both counsel, Justice Lawal Akapo asked them to provide the court with relevant authorities to assist him in his ruling on the issue.

He subsequently adjourned the matter till 8 April, 2014 for ruling.

The EFCC in the charge signed Mr. Francis Usani had alleged that Okorodudu  stole the money from AG Moeller between 13 February, 2008 and 14 August, 2009.

The EFCC claimed the buses were fraudulently sold to GMT Nigeria Ltd; Multichoice Nigeria Ltd; and Law Union and Rock/TFS Finance Ltd.

Okorodudu was said to have forged a document titled, ‘Nigeria Customs Service Motor Vehicle Duty Certicificate’ with number A008911777 to facilitate the alleged theft.

The alleged theft offence contravenes Section 390 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17 Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

EFCC claimed that other offences of forgery and altering violated provisions of Sections 467 and 468 of the same law, respectively.