Proceedings in the criminal case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Fouad Oki, and Eko-Akete Engineering & Construction Company Ltd were stalled at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the defendants’ alleged evasion of arraignment.

The matter, which came up before Justice Olubukola Okunnuga, could not proceed as neither defendant was present in court.

EFCC counsel, during the proceedings, informed the judge that although the defendants had been duly served with the charge, they had continued to evade arraignment.

She told the court that the prosecution was not in a position to proceed in the absence of the defendants and urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable the commission to prepare and file the necessary applications to compel their appearance.

According to her, the prosecution needed time to regularise its processes to ensure that the defendants submit to the court’s jurisdiction for arraignment.

After hearing the EFCC counsel’s submission, Justice Okunnuga adjourned the matter until April 14, 2026, for further proceedings.

The defendants are standing trial on a charge filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State.

According to the charge, Fouad Oki and Eko-Akete Engineering & Construction Company Ltd are accused of offences bordering on theft and abuse of office, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In the first count, the defendants were alleged to have, sometime between July 29 and August 17, 2023, dishonestly converted the sum of ₦33,105,000, said to belong to the Lagos State Football Association, to their personal use. The alleged offence is contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The second count alleged that Oki, while serving as Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, abused his office by authorising the conversion of the same sum for personal use. The act was said to be prejudicial to the rights of the association and contrary to Section 73(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The charge was signed by Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa (SAN), on behalf of the EFCC.

The judge has therefore adjourned the case to April 14, 2026, when the prosecution is anticipated to take further steps to secure the arraignment of the defendants.