The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman, Oladipo Akanle and his firm, Avalanche Trade 1307, earlier than the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the alleged theft of N23million mistakenly transferred to his account in a brand new era financial institution.
The defendants had been arraigned yesterday earlier than Justice Ismail Ijelu on the alleged offence, which EFCC prosecutor James Banjo mentioned occurred in January 2023.
Banjo instructed the courtroom that the cash belonged to 1 Chinedu Iyizoba and was allegedly stolen after it was mistakenly transferred to Akanle’s account.
The prosecutor mentioned the alleged offence contravened Section 278(2)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
He, nonetheless, pleaded not responsible to the cost.
After the plea, Banjo urged the courtroom to set a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional centre.
The prosecutor additionally instructed the courtroom that the defence counsel Lanre Ogunlese (SAN) had simply served him with a bail software.
Moving the appliance, Ogunlese requested the courtroom to launch Akanle into his custody, assuring the decide that he would make sure the defendant attended all courtroom proceedings.
The senior lawyer instructed the courtroom that Akanle had refunded N10m to the complainant, leaving an impressive stability of N13m.
He argued that, due to the half fee, the excellent quantity was N13m somewhat than the unique N23m.
Ogunlese urged the courtroom to train its discretion in favour of the defendant, describing him as being like a son to him.
He defined that Akanle’s late father was his former schoolmate and had died in a airplane crash whereas travelling to Malawi. He added that their households had been shut and that he had promised to personally deal with the case when the defendant’s household approached him.
The defence counsel additionally instructed the courtroom that Akanle had beforehand been arraigned earlier than a Justice of the Peace’s courtroom however was discharged.
He urged the decide to launch the defendant, assuring the courtroom that Akanle wouldn’t leap bail.
In his ruling, Justice Ijelu ordered Akanle’s launch to Ogunlese pending trial and directed the Senior Advocate to supply a written enterprise to provide the defendant in courtroom on each trial date, until in any other case directed.
The decide mentioned he had thought-about the bail software and counsel’s submissions earlier than granting the request.
The courtroom has not but decided the allegations in opposition to Akanle and his firm.
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