Ibeto Case File Reassigned To New Judge, As EFCC Absence Stall Hearing.

Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba has reassigned the charge against the Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Chief Cletus Ibeto, and two over alleged N4.8 billion fraud to Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

Justice Alogba reassigned the defendants’ case file following the petition against Justice Ismail Ijelu who earlier presided over the case by Ibeto and others.

However, when the case resumed before the new trial judge, Justice Ogala on Friday, neither the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) nor the defendants were present in court.

When the court’s registrar called the case, Adedayo Oshodi announced an appearance for all the defendants, and Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins announced his as an interested party in the matter.

Dr. Martins said his appearance in the matter as 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 DPP, Dr. Martins said that she could not proceed with the proceedings due to the absence of the prosecution, EFCC.

Justice Ogala told the parties present that the case would be adjourned and hearing notice would be served on the prosecution, EFCC to appear on the next adjourn date.

Subsequently, the trial adjourned further hearings in the trial till March 11. 2024.

EFCC had charged the defendants on a trump up 10-count charge bordering on allegations of conspiracy, fraud, forgery ,and fraudulent use of documents.

Other defendants apart from Chief Ibeto are Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd.