No escape for ex-Lagos speaker Ikuforiji in alleged N600m fraud

Former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji is unable to escape trial over allegations of fraud laid against him.

The alleged N600 million fraud trial of Ikuforiji, will now start afresh after a Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal set aside a Federal High Court ruling that exonerated him of any offence.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had prosecuted Ikuforiji and his aide Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi on 56 counts charge of allegedly laundering N600 million belonging to the State Assembly.

Read also: DASUKIGATE: Has Obanikoro admitted guilt?

In September 2014, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba, had freed Ikuforiji and Atoyebi, of the charges after upholding the no-case submission by their lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who contended that the EFCC failed to make out a prima facie case against his clients.

But, a three-man appellate court panel, comprising Justices Biobela Georgewill, Side Dauda Bage and Ugochukwu Ogakwu, in a unanimous decision reversed Justice Buba’s ruling and ordered that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta for re-assignment to another judge who will now try Ikuforiji and his aide afresh.

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