Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the trial of oil magnate Akintoye Akindele on a $5.6 million fraud charge to be transferred from Abuja to the Lagos District Court.
The transfer of the trial of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Duport Midstream Company Limited, Akindele to Lagos takes place at the instance of the IGP Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Olaolu Egbetokun.
Justice Omotosho made this order while delivering judgment on IIGP’s application to transfer the case on the grounds that Lagos area is the appropriate venue for trial.
Akindele and his company are on trial on four criminal charges relating to the alleged misappropriation of $5,636,397.01 and N73,543,763.25 belonging to Summit Oil International Ltd.
The two defendants, identified in the complaint as FHC/ABJ/CR/570/2023, allegedly diverted amounts received from Shell for personal use between 2017 and 2021. has been done.
Although the defendants maintained their innocence, Mr. Akindele was granted bail in the amount of NOK 750 million.
However, as the trial was about to begin in March, SAN state prosecuting lawyer Simon Ruff applied to transfer the case to the Federal High Court, Lagos Division. In Lagos, all the companies and banks involved are located in Lagos. ”
However, the defendants, through their lead counsel, Chief Justice James Onoja (SAN), objected to this, pointing out that the alleged offenses occurred in Benin and not in Lagos.
Onoja urged the court to dismiss the application, saying the defendants were willing to waive their rights and have the matter heard in Abuja.
Justice Omotosho, who handed down the judgment on Thursday, agreed with the prosecution that the best place for the trial was the Lagos branch of the Federal High Court, adding that the court should not “expend unnecessary effort” or waste valuable trial time. He pointed out that he had no intention of doing so. I'm listening to the problem.
He said the evidence was in Lagos, but all the prosecution witnesses except two police investigators were based there.
He said bringing the case to Lagos would improve administrative efficiency and access to witnesses.
“Justice will be done if the case is transferred to Lagos,” said Omotosho, who then issued an order transferring the case to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State for trial.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho ordered that the defendant continue to enjoy bail pending the commencement of his trial at the Lagos branch.
In the first charge, Akindele conspired between October 2017 and November 2021 in Lagos State to commit the felony of theft amounting to US$5,636,397,010,000 and Naira 73,543,760,325. It is said that .
The alleged offense is said to be in violation of Section 516 of the Criminal Code of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 Cap C38.
“Count two: You, Akintoye Akindele, male, 49 years of age, in your jurisdiction of Lagos State, between October 2017 and November 2021, you are the owner of D2 Mambila Close Osborne Estate Ikoyi. Duport Midstream Company Limited, Lagos and the MD/CEO of Duport Midstream Company Limited, No. 42, Alexander Avenue Ikoyi-Lagos” while acting in concert before this honorable court. By fraudulently converting and stealing the sum of 5,636,397,710 million U.S. dollars and 73,543,763 Naira25, the assets of Summit Oil International Limited, you commit an offense contrary to section 387 and are subject to section 390. may be punished based on. Criminal Law Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Count to three. You, Akintoye Akindele, Male, 49 years old, MD, D2 Manbilla Close Osborne Estate Ikoyi Lagos, Duport Midstream Company Limited and October 2017 to 2021 “I am the Chief Executive Officer of Duport Midstream Company Limited, 42 Alexander Avenue Ikoyi, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this subject, until November 2019,” Honorable Court Action. You received from Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited with instructions to transfer to Summit Oil International Limited the sum of 5,636,397,010 property of Summit Oil International Limited. steal 73 million U.S. dollars and Naira 543,763.25, thereby committing an offense which contravenes section 385 of the Criminal Code and is punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code.
“Count to four. You, Akintoye Akindele, male, 49 years old, MD, D2 Mambila Close Osborne Estate Ikoyi-Lagos, Duport Midstream Company Limited, since October 2017 You are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Duport Midstream Company Limited, 42 Alexander Avenue Ikoyi, Lagos within the Jurisdiction until November 2021.'' – By fraudulently diverting to your use the assets of Summit Oil International Limited totaling 5,636,397,010,000 SS and 73,543,763.25 Naira received from Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited on behalf of International Limited. , stole an honorable court during a concerted action. If you break the contract that you and your company have entered into with Shell Western Trading Limited and fail to hand over the funds to Summit Oil International Limited, you will commit a crime in violation of Article 388 and be subject to Section 388 of the Penal Code. They will be punished under Article 300. Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
