A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, adjourned until June 5, for hearing in all pending applications in a N32 billion fraud charge against a lawyer, Victor Ukutt and Whoba Ogo (reportedly at large).
The Federal Government filed a charge marked: FHC/L/138C/2025, containing eight counts against the defendants for alleged conspiracy, conversion, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, fraud and money laundering.
They were accused of conspiring between 2011 and 2023 to fraudulently convert about N32 billion from Woobs Resources Limited’s account with the bank.
The government claimed that the funds were unlawfully acquired through theft and fraud, which violates sections of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The court is yet to take their pleas.
Justice Ambrose Allagoa fixed the date for a hearing, following a request by the prosecutor, Chesley Emezina, seeking time to respond to jurisdictional issues raised by the suspects.
On Wednesday, Femi Falana appeared for the first and third defendants. While Mr Ayodele Akintunde appeared for the second and third suspects.
The prosecutor then informed the court that Ukutt was present and should be ordered into the dock.
She referred the court to a pending motion seeking to compel his appearance in the dock and urged the court to hear the same.
In his reaction, Falana opposed the request, citing a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
He argued that jurisdictional issues take precedence and must be determined before any further steps in the proceedings.
He, consequently, urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s application.
The court consequently adjourned the case until June 5 for the hearing of the preliminary objection.
The prosecution filed an eight-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, obtaining by pretense, forgery and money laundering.
The defendants filed preliminary objections under Section 305(1)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Sections 6(a), (b) and 295 of the Constitution.
They are asking the court to dismiss the charge for lack of jurisdiction and abuse of process.
They also seek a stay of proceedings pending resolution of a share ownership dispute over Woobs Resources Ltd, pending at the Court of Appeal
They argued that the criminal charge stems from a corporate dispute arising from a joint venture agreement between the fourth suspect and a nominal complainant, one Mr James Onyemenam.
