Alleged N4.8bn Fraud Trial of Cletus Ibeto Stalls as EFCC, Defendants’ Absence Delays Proceedings

The courtroom for the trial of businessman Cletus Ibeto in the alleged N4.8 billion fraud case was marked by an unexpected delay today, attributed to the absence of both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defendants.

The EFCC had levied a 10-count charge against Cletus Ibeto, Ibeto Energy Development Company, and Odoh Holdings, encompassing charges such as obtaining by false pretense, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and deception.

The Chief Justice of Lagos, Kazeem Alogba, had reassigned the case to Oyindamola Ogala following a petition against Ismail Ijelu, the previous presiding judge.

However, as the trial resumed before Ogala, the new judge, on Friday, both the EFCC and the defendants were notably absent from the court proceedings.

In their absence, Adedayo Oshodi announced his appearance as the counsel for all the defendants, while Babajide Martins, Director of Lagos Public Prosecution (DPP), declared his interest in the matter based on section 211 of the 1999 constitution and a petition by the defendants requesting the state’s attorney-general to take over the case.

The trial judge, Ogala, expressed her inability to proceed with the proceedings in the absence of the EFCC. She informed the present parties that the case would be adjourned, and a hearing notice would be served to the EFCC for their appearance on the next adjourned date.

Consequently, the trial has been adjourned to March 11, awaiting the participation of both the EFCC and the defendants in this ongoing legal saga.