On September 19, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal postponed the hearing of Cletus Ibeto’s appeal. Ibeto, the Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, questions the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja in his alleged N4.8 billion fraud case.
Justice Muhammed Mustapha presided over the appellate court and decided to adjourn the appeal to await the outcome of negotiations between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ibeto.
Following Ibeto’s repeated failure to appear in court for his plea in the fraud case, Justice Ismail Ijelu issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The EFCC had charged Ibeto and his companies with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and fraudulent use of documents in a 10-count charge.
Not satisfied with the court’s order and its refusal to hear his objections, Ibeto filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal with seven grounds for appeal.
During the recent proceedings, the enforcement of the bench warrant issued against Ibeto was suspended by the justices, pending the ongoing settlement negotiations between Ibeto and the EFCC.
Both parties informed the court about the progress in settling the matter, with Ibeto having refunded about N1.7 billion to the Commission.
Justice Mustapha announced the suspension of the bench warrant, emphasizing the need to continue negotiations until the next adjourned date.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, Ibeto’s lawyer, argued that the appeal addresses constitutional territorial jurisdiction and must be heard before his client can be prosecuted.
Olanipekun requested the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant of arrest and dismiss the suit before the lower court.