A FEDERAL HIGH COURT SITTING IN LAGOS TODAY 11TH MARCH 2021, STRUCK OUT THE N32.6BILLION DISCHARGED SLAM AGAINST BUSINESS MAGNATE IYALAJE OODUA,PRINCESS TOYIN KOLADE.
The presiding Judge, Justices Peter Lifu struck out the charge sequel to a withdrawal application made by the Attorney-General of the Federation AGF.
Counsel from the office of the AGF Pius Akutah applied to withdraw the charge as result of a letter from the nominal complainant Access Bank Plc put forward before the court.
COUNSEL TO PRINCESS KOLADE, BARRISTER DELE ADESINA SAN COMMENDED THE CONDUCT OF THE PROSECUTION AS BEEN A PROFESSIONAL ONE BY WITHDRAWING THE CHARGE AFTER OBJECTION WAS RAISED.
Counsel to other defendants Dada Awosika SAN also commended the prosecution on the withdrawal but he urged the court to dismissed the charge and acquit the defendants because the charge flows from a business transaction.
HOWEVER, JUSTICE LIFU IN HIS RULING SAID THAT SINCE THE CASE WAS NOT HEARD ON ITS MERIT BUT MERELY WITHDRAWN BEFORE TRIAL COMMENCED, THE APPROPRIATE OTHER TO MAKE IS TO STRIKE IT OUT.
Accordingly, the charge is hereby struck out and the defendants are hereby discharged.
THE BUSINESSWOMAN WAS CHARGED ALONGSIDE SIX OTHERS BEFORE THE COURT BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (AGF) IN A CHARGE MARKED FHC/L/407C/2019, FOR ALLEGEDLY OBTAINING THE AFOREMENTIONED SUM BY FALSE PRETENCE.
Others charged alongside the businesswoman are four Indian nationals, Prem Garg, Devashish Garg, Bhagwan Simgh Rawat and Mukul Tyagi, as well as two Britons, Marcus Wade and Andrew Fairie, said to be at large.
ALSO, FOUR COMPANIES, NAMELY METAL AFRICA STEEL PRODUCTS LIMITED, WILBEN TRADE LIMITED, KANNU ADITYA INDIA LIMITED, AS WELL AS THE SOCIALITE’S BUSINESS, FISOLAK GLOBAL RESOURCES LIMITED, WERE ALSO CHARGED BEFORE THE COURT FOR THE SAME OFFENCES.
Immediately after the judgement delivered, the business tycoon in the mood of jubilation, thank Almighty God for what He has done in her life throughout the period of the challenges and the court processes. She equally appreciated the legal team which comprises a top legal luminary. Mr Dele Adesina (SAN), Barr. Olapade Awowole and Barr. Bimpe Ajegbomogun Sanusi that fought for the justice and all that stood by her especially the well wishers
