By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till March 24, 2025 the trial of Engr Adeleke Adebesin and his company, Kings Intercontinental Properties Nigeria Limited over alleged N40 million and issuance of dud cheques.
The trial which was slated for trial on Monday could not go on due to sudden change of defence counsel.
When the matter was called up for trial , the prosecutor, Mr Sylvester Azubuike of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), informed the court that the matter is slated for trial, adding that the prosecution is ready to proceed.
However, the defence counsel, Mr O.N Onuoha in his submission told the court that his client (defendant) had just informed him this morning in court of his intention to change his counsel.
He therefore urged the court to grant one adjournment so that he can sort things out and make proper withdrawal from the case.
The new defence counsel Mr Prosper Ojapkovo announced his appearance as counsel for the defendant, but said he will not oppose the application for adjournment by the former counsel.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Aluko adjourned the matter till March 24, 2025 for trial.
Recall that Engineer Adeleke Adebesin was arraigned alongside his company, Kings Intercontinental Homes and Properties Nigeria Limited, and one James Oladimeji Ogunsango, said to be at large.
According to the charge, the 53-year-old engineer, was alleged to have sometime in 2019 induced a Lagos businessman, Taiye Fajana, the chairman of Twins Faja Nigeria Limited, to deliver to him N40 million.
It was also alleged that the defendant, his company and the other, said to be at large, issued a Stanbic IBTC bank cheque with number 20218203 dated October 30, 2019, but when the cheque was presented at the bank, it was dishonoured for lack of sufficient funds.
The prosecution said the offence contravened Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, No. 14 of 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act and Section 1(a)(i) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, 2004.
