N61m Scam: Absences Of Judge Stalls Adegboruwas Trial

The ongoing trial of Lagos lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa over alleged leasing out a property attached with an interim order of forfeiture before the Federal High Court in Lagos was yesterday stalled due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo.Although no reason was given for the absence of the judge, a new trial date of January 30, 2017 has been agreed on by the prosecution and defence counsels.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Adegboruwa on a one count charge, of leasing out a property that was said to be a subject of an interim order of forfeiture issued by Justice C.A Balogun of the Lagos High Court, on June 18, 2012.The EFCC accused the lawyer of conspiring with one Jonathan Udeagbala (now at large) to lease out the property located at 105 NICON Town Estate Lekki, Lagos, at the sum of N61 million to Shelf Drilling Nigeria Limited.The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Section 32(1) of the EFCC Act, 2004.At the last adjourned date, In june, the anti-graft agencys lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, had led his second witness, Teslim Ajuwon, a compliance officer with a first generation bank in evidence. .The witness had tendered documents relating to the accuseds statement of account, as evidence of the alleged transaction.Ajuwon also narrated to the court how the sum of N61, 691,944.65 was deposited into Adegboruwas account on August 13, 2013.According to the witness prior to the deposit of the said amount, the total balance in the accused persons account was N1, 492, 232.06 million.During the cross-examination, the EFCC while answering questions from Adegboruwas lawyer, said he did not know the purpose why said money was paid into accused persons account.Adekunle also informed the court that there is a difference between an account opened personally by Adegboruwa and the one opened by Adegboruwa and Company, adding that his firms account can have more than one signatory.
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