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The trial of a former employee of PUNCH Nigeria Ltd, Olusegun Ogunbanjo, accused of N998m fraud involving stationery supplies, suffered a setback on Thursday due to a change in his defence counsel.
Ogunbanjo was arraigned on June 21 on eight counts bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money under false pretences, stealing, and forgery.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
When the case was called on Thursday, Ms M.A. Abia-Bassey, representing the defence, informed the court that Ogunbanjo’s previous lawyer, Mr T.E. Okeke had passed on, following a car accident two weeks earlier.
Abia-Bassey also noted that the defendant was in poor health, which affected the progress of the trial.
She said, “My lord, unfortunately, the counsel handling this case died two weeks ago in a motor accident.
“I was only contacted this morning to take over the matter.
“Also my lord, the defendant is not in good health though I cannot categorically state what is wrong with him and cannot tell if he is faking it or not.
“I only pray for one more adjournment and that the defendant be allowed to attend to his health.
“We are humbly praying for a short date for the defendant to attend to his health and for me to study the case file as his new counsel.”
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, pointed out that a prosecution witness, Insp Augustin Iyida, was present in court to testify.
“My lord, I ask that the witness be allowed to give his evidence-in-chief today to prevent wasting the court’s time. Regarding the defendant’s health, I am sceptical, as many defendants claim illness to delay proceedings,” he stated.
Justice Ismail Ijelu queried the correctional officers about Ogunbanjo’s health status.
The officers confirmed he appeared unwell, though no medical report was available to support this claim.
Justice Ijelu ruled, “This case will be adjourned not because of the illness of the defendant because there was no medical report before this court to prove he is sick.
“This case will be adjourned so that the new counsel can acquaint herself with the case file.”
The case was adjourned until November 25, for the commencement of trial.
The prosecution had alleged that Ogunbanjo, with accomplices still at large, committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.
According to one of the charges, Ogunbanjo fraudulently obtained N417m from Mr Durodola Balogun, claiming the funds were for purchasing stationery to fulfil a Local Purchase Order for Punch Nigeria Ltd.
He was also alleged to have collected N581m from Mr Olusola Ikuyajesin under similar pretences.
Additionally, Ogunbanjo was accused of stealing thousands of US dollars belonging to Ikuyajesin for his personal use and forging LPOs from Punch Nigeria Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 411(2), 314, 285, 287, and 365 of the Criminal Law Lagos State, 2015.
