Lagos Speaker’s Trial Continues 18 Feb

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria has adjourned till 18 February, 2013 the money laundering charges filed against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi.

In continuation of their trial this morning, the prosecutor, Chief Godwin Obla said through the first prosecuting witness, Adebayo Adeniyi, the following documents; a register comprising of cash books from the accounts department of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Wema Bank register, GTB cash book, Chico cash register and a bulk register, were recovered.

Adeniyi also told the court that from his investigation, he discovered that the books were used for financial transactions in the Accounts Department of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He disclosed further that the registers showed clearly the accounts and mode of payment, either in cash or cheque.

The registers also showed the recipients and their signatures.

The witness said his investigation showed that cash payments above treasury recommendation were given to the Speaker through his PA.

He further told the court that investigation revealed that Atoyebi collected or received cash payments from the Accounts Department of the Lagos State House of Assembly on behalf of the Speaker.

Statements were also obtained from the staff of the Department of Accounts of Lagos State House of Assembly, he disclosed.

Before he asked for adjournment, Obla told the court that after the first prosecution witness, he intend to call six other witnesses.

The defence counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, leading two senior lawyers, Mr. Tunde Akinrimisi and Abiodun Omidare and seven others, while acceeding to the request for adjournment, asked for five days for accelerated hearing.

The presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, adjourned the matter till 18, 19, 20, 21, 2013 for accelerated hearing.

—Akin Kuponiyi