Court Refuses To Grant Ladoja’s Arrest Over Alleged Scam

Court Refuses To Grant Ladoja’s Arrest Over Alleged Scam

A Federal High Court has declined to grant the request to issue a warrant of arrest against a former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja.

Justice Mohammed Idris gave the ruling following Ladoja’s appearance in court on Friday in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had urged the court on Monday, November 21 to issue a bench warrant against the former governor for his absence in court, to answer to the charges of 4.7 billion naira money laundering levelled against him.

Lawyer to the accused, Bolaji Onilenla, had informed the court about a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

He had also challenged the powers of the prosecuting counsel on the grounds that the fiat to prosecute was exclusively given to Mr Festus Keyamo.

Onilenla argued further that the apex court had earlier dismissed Mr Ladoja’s appeal pursuant to Order 6; Rule 3 of the Procedure Rules.

He, however, stated that an application had been filed to restore the appeal.

In his ruling, Justice Idris maintained that he would not grant any order as to arrest the former governor since he was present in court.

He also rejected the appeal of the defence counsel for a stay of proceedings, pending the outcome of an appeal challenging the prosecuting powers of the EFCC under the Money Laundering Act.