In the ongoing trial at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, Justice Oyindamola Ogala has adjourned the proceedings involving Chief Cletus Ibeto, the Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company. He is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4.8 billion fraud. The trial is now scheduled to continue on May 27, 2024.
The adjournment came after the defense counsel, Adedayo Oshodi, requested to present an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob, opposed this application, citing that a similar appeal on the jurisdiction issue is pending at the Court of Appeal and has not been resolved yet. Jacob also argued that the defendant must appear for trial before such matters can be entertained by the court.
Oshodi, however, contended that the defendant’s presence was not necessary at this stage due to the pending application.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Ogala ruled that addressing the application at the current stage would be futile as the same issue is under consideration at the appellate court. The judge emphasized the importance of waiting for the Court of Appeal’s decision before proceeding.
The EFCC had charged Ibeto with ten counts including conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and fraudulent use of documents. Despite the charges, Ibeto is yet to enter a plea as he challenges the court’s jurisdiction in the matter.
Previously, another high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, issued a judgment on a related issue. The court ruled in favor of Ibeto Energy Development Ltd as the rightful owner of disputed land. This decision mandated Ibeto to refund money to Sir Chukwudozie Daniel of Dozzy Oil due to incomplete land payment.
Sir Daniel later appealed this judgment at the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division. Concurrently, he filed a petition with the EFCC in Lagos, leading to the criminal case against Chief Dr. Cletus Ibeto.
The ongoing jurisdictional objection filed by Ibeto in the Lagos high court stems from these complex legal proceedings.