Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos, on Thursday granted the alleged fake Army General, Bolarinwa Abiodun’s application seeking to change counsel in his ongoing trial over alleged defrauding businessman of N270million
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) had filed a 13-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, forgery of documents, and possession of documents containing false pretence values at N266,500,000 against the alleged fake Army General.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was arraigned on 11th April 2022 on offences contrary to Section 1 (3), 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006
The prosecution said his offence contravenes Section 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, at the resumed hearing, on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, A.O Mohammed, said that the matter is for the continuation of trial and have witnesses in court.
But the defence counsel, F.O Raji told the court that he filed before the court, an application for change of counsel dated 30th May 2022.
Raji pleaded that the court grants the application for a change of counsel.
The prosecution counsel did not oppose the application.
Justice Taiwo thereafter granted the application. The judge said that the application of the model of the change of counsel is accepted and granted.
Raji also applied for the vacation of already fixed date for the continuation of the trial of the fraud case in order to tidy up in preparation for the next adjournment.
However, Mohammed said that the court has decided an accelerated hearing on the matter and the defendant’s counsel has the rest of the day to put their house in order.
The presiding judge, Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter until 3rd June 2022 for the continuation of the trial.