A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the case against the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, and others until May 8 for a report on settlement.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the adjournment on Monday after Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the first defence counsel, informed the court that the parties were engaged in settlement discussions.
Olanipekun stated that a meeting involving all legal representatives had been convened at the instance of the Attorney General to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
Starreporters recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko, former First Bank Managing Director Olabisi Onasanya, former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
The N12.3 billion case, marked FHC/L/20C/2025, was originally set for arraignment on January 20. However, the defendants were absent, claiming they had not been served with the charge.
At the last hearing on February 13, defence counsel argued that the court should first hear their preliminary objections before proceeding with the arraignment.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Aneke held that a defendant’s plea must be taken before any preliminary objections can be heard.
Citing legal precedents, including Onnoghen v. FRN and Bello v. FRN, the court ruled that arraignment must precede any objections.
Following the ruling, Olanipekun informed the court that settlement discussions were ongoing.
He disclosed that a meeting was held on March 12, involving all parties, including the prosecution, under the supervision of the Attorney General.
Other defence counsel, including Messrs Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Olumide Fusika (SAN), and Charles Adeosun-Phillips (SAN), supported the request for an adjournment, urging the court not to set an arraignment date to avoid prejudicing the settlement process.
While the prosecution counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, suggested an adjournment for either a settlement report or arraignment, the defence insisted that settlement discussions should proceed without interruption.
The court granted the defence’s request and adjourned the case until May 8 for a report on the settlement.
(NAN)