The chief judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba has reassigned the charge against the chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Mr Cletus Ibeto, and two others over alleged N4.8 billion fraud to Justice Oyindamola Ogala.
The judge reassigned the case file following the petition against Justice Ismail Ijelu who earlier handled the matter
However, when the case resumed before Ogala on Friday, neither the prosecution, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), nor the defendants were in court.
When the case was called, Mr Adedayo Oshodi announced his appearance for the defendants while the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, announced his as an interested party in the matter.
Martins said his appearance as an interested party was based on Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution and the petition written by the defendants asking the State’s Attorney General to take over the case.
The trial judge after hearing from the defendants’ counsel and Martins said she could not proceed with the case in the absence of the EFCC.
She informed the parties present that the case would be adjourned and hearing notice served on the EFCC to appear on the next adjourned date. Subsequently, she adjourned hearing in the trial to March 11. 2024.
Recall that the EFCC had arraigned the defendants on a 10-count charge bordering on allegations of conspiracy, fraud, forgery ,and fraudulent use of documents.
Other defendants apart from Ibeto are Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd.
