A bench warrant issued for the arrest of ex-Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Demola Banu, was revoked by a Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had requested the arrest warrant, alleging that Banu did not appear as required.
During the hearing involving the anti-graft agency, the state’s former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and the ex-commissioner, Justice Evelyn Nmasinulo, at the request of Banu’s lead counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, granted the request on the basis that the defendant was present.
The defendants faced eleven counts related to financial impropriety during their time in office and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Banu’s lawyer requested bail for his client, which was granted at N5 million along with two sureties of the same amount.
Further proceedings were adjourned to June 25 and 26, 2024, to allow for the submission of supporting documents for the defense.
Speaking to the press, Barrister Oyewole, Banu’s lead counsel, stated, “We successfully had the arrest warrant for our client revoked as it was issued erroneously, and we have secured an adjournment to June 25 and 26 for the next hearing.”