EFCC Drags Rogue Banker Akingbola to Appeal Court

Erastus Akingbola

Mr. Akingbola and his associate, Bayo Dada, were standing trial on charges of stealing N42.4 billion from the Intercontinental Bank Plc when Mr. Akingbola was the bank’s Managing Director, but Mr. Archibong dismissed the charges for lack of diligent prosecution.  The judge had earlier permitted the EFCC legal team to amend the charges against Mr. Akingbola, and also curiously directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, to dissolve the EFCC’s prosecution team in the case.
In the notice of appeal which was filed on April 10, Godwin Obla, the prosecutor and counsel to the EFCC, said the judge erred in law:
•    When he dismissed the charges without affording the appellant the opportunity of being heard;
•    When he dismissed the charges at a time when there was a motion for stay of proceedings pending before him and without first considering and determining the said motion;
•    When he dismissed the charges and discharged Mr. Akingbola without affording the parties the opportunity to address the court, and thereby denied the right of fair hearing;
•    In dismissing the 26-count amended charge and discharging Mr. Akingbola without proceeding to full trial.  
The EFCC is asking the Court of Appeal, among others, to set aside in its entirety the decision of Judge Archibong and to remit the matter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to any other judge of the court for retrial on its merits.