The Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, yesterday re-assigned the case file of former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola and his co-defendant, Bayo Ojo, to another judge.
The new judge is Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Ikeja High Court.
This follows the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, to the Commercial Division of the Ikeja High Court.
Justice Lawal-Akapo is the third judge to try the theft charges preferred against Akingbola and his associate, Bayo Dada, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, within the last two years.
It will be recalled that Akingbola was first arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru in 2011. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Abiru consequently granted him (Akingbola) bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge also granted Dada a N50 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Akingbola's trial was at the stage of adoption of final written addresses by the parties, when Justice Abiru was suddenly elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Consequently, the defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Onigbanjo on February 26, 2012 and the matter started de novo.
Further, the defendants again pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail with the terms earlier given to them by Justice Abiru.
Sequel to recent re-assignment by Lagos chief judge, the matter is expected to again start de novo before Justice Lawal- Akapo following the transfer of Justice Onigbanjo to the commercial court from the criminal court of the Lagos judiciary.
The defendants are standing trial on a 22-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of N47.1 billion belonging to the Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank Plc).
National Mirror