A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday adjourned the case of the Ànosike brothers – Noel and Fidelis – charged with advanced fee fraud to May 7.
The preliminary objection filed by counsel to the accused, Mr Babajide Koku, could not hold because of the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Ernest Ezebilo.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, therefore, adjourned the case to May 7 for hearing.
At the last adjourned date, counsel representing the accused, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), had informed the court of a pending application, contesting service of the charge on the accused.
He said that at no time was the amended charge served on the accused, adding that lack of service ousted the jurisdiction of the court.
According to him, where the issue of jurisdiction of court is in question, it must be first dealt with.
He said in the instant case, there was an issue of service of the charge on the accused to which they had filed an objection.
Quakers, therefore, said that it was only trite that the application before the court be considered before taking further steps in the case.
The accused were alleged to have conspired and obtained N25 million from the Education Trust Fund under false pretence of utilising the money to set up Electronic Library for Daily Times.
They allegedly obtained N100 million from Corporate Ideals Properties Limited and Sen. Ikechukwu Obiorah, under the guise that they had a printing factory at Lugbe, Abuja.
The accused allegedly laundered N75 Million, which was realised from the sale of Daily Times property at Cold Harbour Lane, London, United Kingdom.
The offence contravened Sections 1(3) and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2005.
NAN also reports that the accused had not yet been arraigned before the court. (NAN)
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