By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A chartered accountant, Ms. Omafume Augustina Ayinuola, has asked a federal high court in Lagos to lift the freezing order placed by the police on her bank account over alleged fraud.
Omafume and her mother Lydia Abosede Erhievuyere are facing trial before the court for alleged stealing of the sum of N1. 5 billion belonging to the company of Mr Peter Ololo.
When the case came up for hearing on Thursday , counsel to the defendants Olubusola Ashiru told the court that the business of the day is for the hearing of the defendants’ motion seeking to lift the lien placed on the defendants accounts and for the release of the properties illegally taken away from the defendants by the police and the nominal complainant, Peter Ololo the alter ego of the Group of Companies.
After some arguments between the prosecutor, Mr. Morufu Animasaun and the defence counsel, Olubusola Ashiru on the propriety or otherwise of the application, Justice Ogundare ordered Ashiru to move the application.
While moving his application, Ashiru urged the court to grant an order lifting the lien placed on the defendants’ accounts or in other words, unfreeze the various bank accounts which the police has freezed or placed ‘Post No Debit’.
Ashiru also sought for an order of the court, directing the prosecutor to release all the properties of the defendants and to direct that the properties taking away by the nominal complainant, Peter Ololo “the estranged lover” from the defendants.
Ashiru said that while the matter is pending before Justice Ogundare, the prosecutor ran to another court to obtain an order to freeze the accounts and placed liens of the defendants’ properties.
However, the prosecutor in his 19 paragraphs counter affidavit filed in opposition to the defendants’ motion, urged the court to dismiss the motion.
Morufu Animasahun while moving the counter affidavit urged the court to dismiss the application and ordered accelerated hearing of the matter.
He said the essence of the freezing order obtained by the prosecution from Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala’s court is to preserve the Res as there is persistent intelligence reports that the defendants through third parties are making efforts to dissipate the assets bought with the alleged proceed of crime.
Animasaun said the prosecution has placed sufficient facts and evidence to prove its case against the defendants.
He therefore urged the court to dismiss the defendants motion and ordered accelerated hearing of the matter.
After hearing parties, the trial judge Justice Kehinde Ogundare adjourned the case till 11th of July 2024 for ruling on the defendants motion and for definite trial.