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Justice S. M. Shuaibu of a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, yesterday, adjourned till July 22, the case of aiding the suicide of Mrs Lilian Omokhuale, preferred against six defendants.
Justice Shuaibu said the adjournment was to enable the prosecutor, P. O. Odion, to properly serve all the defendants the charge sheet and proof of evidence.
Recall that 40-year-old Omokhuale and daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, Chief Executive Officer, Uyi Technical Company Limited, was found dead at her residence on October 7, 2022.
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She was alleged to have committed suicide until investigations by the police revealed the involvement of the six defendants who allegedly aided her suicide.
The defendants are: Jessica Iguodala-Oghomwen, Akpes Omorodion, Chukwudi Akpotowho, Joy Noren, Vincent Uhunmwangho, and Blessing Jatto.
At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel to Noren (the fourth defendant), Charles Edosomwan (SAN), told the court that his client was not served the charge sheet and the accompanying proof of evidence.
Citing Section 382 (4,5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Edosomwan said criminal summons ought to be served personally on the defendant. “And where this is not possible or impracticable, the court may order that the counsel be served,” he said.
Edosomwan’s position was adopted by Mr O. I. Asenoguan, counsel to Jatto and Iguodala-Oghomwen, respectively.
Subsequently, the trial judge adjourned till July 22 for further hearing.
The six defendants were also charged with money laundering, concealment of source of funds, and operating specialised banking without a valid licence.
The offences contravened the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act 2004, and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.
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