A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday again adjourned the arraignment of 15 accused and two companies charged with N2.6 billion fraud till July 4.
The accused were; Nigeria International Bank Ltd., Chief C. S Sankey, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo, Kabiru Bello, and J.E Eriagbon.
The others were; Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nig. Ltd., Mark Anaele, Enike Enuma, Peter Harris, Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba.
They were charged on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of N2.6 billion belonging to MicMerah International Agency Ltd.
The case, which was fixed for arraignment on Monday, was further adjourned till July 4 following information from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
On Monday, the first accused represented by its staff, Ofodile Ojiako, was present in court.
The others accused present were Anaele representing Mikky Dons Ltd., Ndukuba and Fagbure.
When the case was called, Counsel from the office of the AGF, Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, informed the court of AGF’s withdrawal of the fiat given to the former prosecutor, Mr Gordy Uche (SAN).
Bode-Ayeni told the court that the AGF was yet to reissue a fiat to another prosecuting counsel.
Based on this premise, the court adjourned the matter till July 4 for mention.
It will be recalled that the arraignment of the accused had previously been stalled on Feb. 9, March 2 and April 11.
The non-arraignment followed the inability of the prosecution to serve the accused with the criminal summons.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to induce MicMerah International Agency Ltd., to deliver the said sum to them, to be used for offsetting a fraudulent import finance facility scheme.
They were also alleged to have falsified documents to fraudulently secure the release of four Volvo luxury buses and two 40 feet containers from the Nigeria Custom Service.
Besides, the accused are also charged with obtaining property by false pretence as well as corruptly enriching themselves.
The offence contravened Sections 1(1) (a),1(3), and 8 (a), of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related offence Act, 2004.
The offence also contravened Sections 161 and 162 of the Custom and Excise Management Act, Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004 as well as Sections 2, 2(1) and 10 (1) of the Recovery of Public Property Act, 2004. (NAN)