Ordering the transfer of the trial of oil magnate Akintoye Akindele from Abuja to Lagos, Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, acceded to the request of Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Olaolu Egbetokun.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO, of Duport Midstream Company Limited, Akindele, is facing trial in Lagos on a four-count criminal charge involving the alleged diversion of $5,636,397.01 and N73,543,763.25 belonging to Summit Oil International Ltd.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges with Akindele being granted bail in the sum of N750 million.
Moving the trial to Lagos was sought by the prosecution, represented by Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, due to logistical reasons such as the location of proof of evidence and witnesses in Lagos.
Despite the defendants’ preference for the trial to proceed in Abuja, Justice Omotosho ruled in favor of transferring the case to enhance administrative efficiency and witness accessibility.
The court’s decision to relocate the trial to Lagos Division of the Federal High Court was to ensure that justice is duly served, as emphasized by Justice Omotosho.
Justice Omotosho also made it clear that the defendant would maintain his bail status until the trial commences in Lagos.
The charges against Akindele include allegations of conspiracy, stealing by conversion, and dishonestly converting money belonging to Summit Oil International Limited.
The case has been re-assigned to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where trial proceedings are set to take place.