AN oil marketer, who is facing charge of bank fraud instituted against
him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mr Oluwaseun
Ogunbambo, on Monday, informed a Lagos high court sitting in Ikeja,
that he is ready to opt for out-of-court settlement.
His trial was scheduled to commence before Justice Olabisi Akinlade, but the trial got stalled due to this development.
Ogunbambo’s
counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), at the resumed hearing of the
matter on Monday, applied for an adjournment based on the fact that the
defendant was already settling with the Stanbic IBTC Plc, by returning
part of the alleged fraud money.
He added that his client
recently paid N100 million, in addition to the N120 million he had
allegedly paid to the bank out of about N430 million that he was
alleged to have fraudulently obtained from the bank in 2009.
The
judge granted the request, but counselled the defence counsel to carry
the EFCC along in its settlement talks with the bank as the case is
“between him (the accused) and the Federal Republic of Nigeri.”
Justice
Akinlade added that the only acceptable terms of settlement is a plea
bargain, which cannot be executed without the prosecution.
“The
only way out is for him to take to plea bargain. If any arrangement is
being carried out, please carry the EFCC along.” he said.
The
EFCC counsel, Mr Francis Usani, had earlier informed the court that his
witness was in court on Monday, and they were ready to proceed with the
trial.
But on the issue of out of court settlement, he stated
that, “I have limited discretion in this matter, the final decision lies
with the management of the EFCC.
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