The trial of businessman Cletus Ibeto for an alleged N4.8 billion fraud has been delayed due to the absence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defendants.
The EFCC brought a 10-count charge against Ibeto, Ibeto Energy Development Company, and Odoh Holdings for offenses including obtaining by false pretense, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and deception.
Chief Justice Kazeem Alogba reassigned the case to Judge Oyindamola Ogala after a petition was filed against Judge Ismail Ijelu, who was initially presiding over the case.
However, when the case was called before Judge Ogala on Friday, neither the EFCC nor the defendants were present in court.
Adedayo Oshodi appeared on behalf of all the defendants, while Babajide Martins, the director of Lagos public prosecution (DPP), appeared as an interested party citing section 211 of the 1999 constitution and a petition from the defendants requesting the state’s attorney-general to take over the case.
