A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome and
counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Rotimi Oyedepo, clashed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on
Wednesday.
The disagreement was over the representation of four companies
that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging
to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
While Ozekhome is claiming to have been validly appointed to
represent the firms, another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also claimed
that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.
The companies are – Pluto Property and Investment Company
Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company
Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and
Avalon Global Property Development Limited.
The EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on
Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer
Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.
Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not
guilty to the 17-count charge.
Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court
to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors
to represent them, not Ozekhome.
The motion was argued before Justice Babs Kuewumi.
While Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the application for
change of counsel, Oyedepo said he was not opposed to the
motion.
There was a heated exchanged between Ozekhome and Oyedepo when
the SAN accused EFCC of trying to determine which lawyer would
represent the companies.
Ozekhome said EFCC being the prosecution should not be
interested in who represented the companies.
He said: “Because we want to set aside the guilty plea of the
companies, they arranged with the EFCC to change counsel. We’ll not
allow that to happen. They’ll continue to contend with my face.
“It already show your interest, that you (EFCC) have an interest
in who represents the defendants you’re prosecuting.”
But, Oyedepo described Ozekhome’s comments as prejudicial,
saying they were unfair to him and EFCC.
“The allegation made by the learned SAN is totally
unmeritorious. It is not in the interest of justice. It’s
prejudicial to us. It’s unfortunate.
“This not the only case we are both involved in, so why would I
not want to see his face? My prayer is that he should be busy, that
people should contact and give him briefs,” he said.
Oyedepo said it was wrong for Ozekhome to “scandalise” him, but
the SAN insisted that the EFCC had a preference for the lawyer who
would represent the firms.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome and
counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Rotimi Oyedepo, clashed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on
Wednesday.
The disagreement was over the representation of four companies
that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging
to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
While Ozekhome is claiming to have been validly appointed to
represent the firms, another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also claimed
that he was briefed by the companies to represent them.
The companies are – Pluto Property and Investment Company
Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company
Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and
Avalon Global Property Development Limited.
The EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on
Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer
Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.
Unlike the companies, Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not
guilty to the 17-count charge.
Aghanenu filed a motion for change of counsel, praying the court
to hold that he was validly appointed by the companies’ directors
to represent them, not Ozekhome.
The motion was argued before Justice Babs Kuewumi.
While Ozekhome urged the court to dismiss the application for
change of counsel, Oyedepo said he was not opposed to the
motion.
There was a heated exchanged between Ozekhome and Oyedepo when
the SAN accused EFCC of trying to determine which lawyer would
represent the companies.
Ozekhome said EFCC being the prosecution should not be
interested in who represented the companies.
He said: “Because we want to set aside the guilty plea of the
companies, they arranged with the EFCC to change counsel. We’ll not
allow that to happen. They’ll continue to contend with my face.
“It already show your interest, that you (EFCC) have an interest
in who represents the defendants you’re prosecuting.”
But, Oyedepo described Ozekhome’s comments as prejudicial,
saying they were unfair to him and EFCC.
“The allegation made by the learned SAN is totally
unmeritorious. It is not in the interest of justice. It’s
prejudicial to us. It’s unfortunate.
“This not the only case we are both involved in, so why would I
not want to see his face? My prayer is that he should be busy, that
people should contact and give him briefs,” he said.
Oyedepo said it was wrong for Ozekhome to “scandalise” him, but
the SAN insisted that the EFCC had a preference for the lawyer who
would represent the firms.”
Read more https://nairalaw.com/patience-jonathan-ozekhome-efccs-lawyer-clash-over-representation/