The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has filed a complaint against them against Fidelity Bank Plc and three other companies over allegations that they were converting about N32 billion from a company called Woobs Resources Limited.
At a scheduled bank arraignment on Wednesday, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa heard about this in person alongside two other people, including the chief executive officer.
The Federal Government had filed an eight-count charge of the alleged conspiracy, conversion, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, fraud, and money laundering against the defendants.
Listed as defendants are Fidelity Bank, its Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, a legal practitioner, Victor Ukutt, and one Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (who is said to be currently at large).
In the charge, they were all accused of conspiring between 2011 and 2023 to convert a sum of about N32billion from Woobs Resources Limited’s account, a company whose account is domiciled with Fidelity Bank PLC,
The government claims that theft and fraud facilitated the unlawful acquisition of this money.
Justice Maurice Ikpambese’s status as NJC’s Chief Judge is also available.
The alleged offences are said to violate sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
At the proceedings on Wednesday, the Attorney General’s office was represented by a public prosecutor, Mrs Chelsy Emezina, while the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, represented the 1st and 4th defendants (Ukutt and Ogo). Ayodele Akintunde, a senior attorney in Nigeria, represented Fidelity Bank and its CEO.
The prosecutor informed the court that all defendants had received hearing notices, including the fourth defendant, and that the arraignment was scheduled for today.
According to Section 113 of the 2023 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the prosecutor requested a bench warrant for the fourth defendant.
However, Falana opposed this, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge, as it was an abuse of court process.
He noted that the Court of Appeal was considering possible theft from a business in the matter.
Falana also noted that Whoba Ugwunna Ogo, the fourth defendant, was receiving medical care away from home and not received with the charge.
Due to the absence of sufficient service evidence, he requested that the court decline the request for a bench warrant.
In a similar submission, Akintunde explained to the judge that his clients had filed lawsuits challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa declined to issue a bench warrant after hearing from all parties, citing the fact that defendants who fail to show up after being served will only be eligible for a bench warrant.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 27, 2025, to hear the applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
In the applications brought pursuant to Section 305 (1) (A) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and Sections 6 (A) &, (B) and 295 of the Constitution, the defendants are asking the court to dismiss the charge due to lack of jurisdiction and abuse of process.
In addition, they ask for a stay of the proceeding while the Court of Appeal is pending the outcome of a dispute involving the ownership of shares in Woobs Resources Limited. CA/L/343/2020.
The defendants contend that the dispute stemmed from a joint venture agreement between the 4th defendant and the nominal complainant, Mr. James Onyemenam, regarding the ownership of shares in Woobs Resources Limited. In Suit No. 11, the Federal High Court was first given the right to hear the ownership question. FHC/L/CS/1232/2011.
Despite receiving warnings in 2011, the Federal Government has accused Fidelity Bank and Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe of failing to verify the identities of individuals engaging in illegal activities on Woobs Resources Limited’s account. This action, according to the FG, allegedly aided Victor Ukutt, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo, and others in stealing N32 billion from the company’s account.
Source: Channels TV
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