Lagos AG asks court to discontinue N1.35 billion EFCC’s case

The Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has filed a notice to discontinue a N1.35 billion alleged fraud case being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos.

Two defendants, Azubuike Ishiekwene and Olalekan Abdul, are being tried by the anti-graft agency over the alleged fraud, in which they pleaded not guilty.
They were granted bail, following which trial commenced in earnest.

Following the application and after hearing the AG, Justice Mojisola Dada fixed July 1, 2024, to rule on it. Pedro filed for discontinuance after an earlier attempt to take over the prosecution of the case was refused by the court.

In his ruling on November 17, 2023, Justice Dada upheld the EFCC’s argument that a prima facie case had been established and the defendants had questions to answer concerning the allegations.

“The no-case submissions, therefore, fail and are hereby dismissed and the defendants are hereby called upon to open their defence. I so hold,” Justice Dada held.

The judge directed the defendants, represented by Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) and Olumide Fusika (SAN), to open their defence. The defendants called four witnesses before seeking that the EFCC withdraw the case.

They also applied to the Lagos State Attorney-General (AG) to take over the case, a move initially resisted by the AG via a counter-application to the court.

The AG later withdrew the said counter-application and prayed the court to give its ruling.The court after taking arguments from all the sides, ruled that the defendants should continue with their defence, considering the time and energy already expended on the case, and in the interest of justice for all the parties, and the general public.

But things took a different twist when the AG on May 31, 2024 filed a motion seeking to discontinue the proceedings. Justice Dada adjourned till July 1, 2024 for ruling.