The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed an application filed by Oba Otudeko, Chair- man of Honeywell Group, challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, to hear multiple fraud charges against him.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, presiding over the case, adjourned ruling on the application till March 17, 2025.
Otudeko, alongside a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya; a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo; and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited, is facing a 13-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12.3 billion.
The defendants are contesting the charges through preliminary objections. At Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had complied with directives to serve the defence with charges and proof of evidence.
“The matter was adjourned till today for arraignment, but before the adjournment on January 20, the court had directed the prosecution to serve by substituted means the charges and proof of evidence on the defence, and we served accordingly and we have affidavit to prove,” he said.
Otudeko’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, notified the court of a fresh application challenging its jurisdiction, which was served on the prosecution on January 29, 2025.
Similarly, counsel for the third and fourth defendants, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, and A. Adedeji, SAN, filed similar applications on February 10, 2025, contesting the court’s jurisdiction.
Oyedepo, however, argued that the hearing could not proceed due to Otudeko’s absence. “Few minutes ago, we received the first defendant’s affidavit confirming that he travelled out of the country for medical reasons.
“I also confirm that I was served with a harvest of motions. I confirm receipt of the motion on notice from the first, third, and fourth defendants all challenging the court’s jurisdiction.”
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