The trial of one Engineer Adeleke Adebesin and his company Kings Intercontinental Properties Nigeria Limited facing over alleged N40 million fraud and issuance of dud cheques could not proceed before the Federal High Court, Lagos today due to sudden change of counsel by the defendants.
When the matter was called today, the prosecutor, Mr Sylvester Azubuike of the police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, informed Justice Akitoye Aluko that the matter is slated for trial and that the prosecution is ready to proceed.
However, the defendant counsel, Mr O.N Onuoha in his submission told Justice Aluko that his client ( defendant) had just informed him this morning in court of his intention to change his counsel, he therefore urged the court to grant one adjournment so that he can sort things out and make proper withdrawal from the case.
New counsel to the defendant, Mr Prosper Ojapkovo announced his appearance as counsel for the defendant, but said he will not oppose the application for adjournment by the former counsel.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Akotoye Aluko adjourned the matter till 24th of March , 2024 for trial.
It would be recalled that Engineer Adeleke Adebesin was arraigned alongside his company, Kings Intercontinental Homes and Properties Nigeria Limited, and one James Oladimeji Ogunsango, said to be at large.
According to the charge, the 53-year-old engineer, was alleged to have sometime in 2019 induced a Lagos businessman, Taiye Fajana, the chairman of Twins Faja Nigeria Limited, to deliver to him N40 million.
It was also alleged that the defendant, his company, and the other, said to be at large, issued a Stanbic IBTC bank cheque with the number 20218203, and account number 00234349, dated October 30, 2019, but when the cheque was presented at the bank, it was dishonoured for lack of sufficient funds.
The prosecution said the offence contravened Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offence Act, No. 14 of 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act and Section 1(a)(i) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, 2004.
