Alleged Money Laundering - Appearance of New Counsel Stalls Ikuforiji's Trial
Ikuforiji is standing trial along with his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, at a Federal High Court, Lagos, on an amended 54 count charge bordering on money laundering.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court could not proceed with the case as Olanipekun announced his appearance as the new defence counsel.
He informed the court that he was taking over from Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).
Olanipekun said he could not go on with the case because he needed more time to get acquainted with the case files.
"My lord, when a new counsel comes into a case it is natural for him to study the files and know the parties.
"Criminal trial is a serious business and I must say that I am faced with a 'mountain of documents' to peruse, some of which were just served on us yesterday.
"In this circumstance, I have no alternative but to seek an adjournment to enable me to study the files."
The prosecutor, Mr Godwin Obla (SAN), however, did not object to Olanipekun's request for an adjournment.
Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a short ruling, adjourned the case to March 17 and 18 for further hearing.
NAN also reports that the court had fixed Jan. 7, 8 and 9 for further hearing of the case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had re-arraigned the defendants on June 24, 2013 on the amended charges.
Both Ikuforiji and Atoyebi had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N1 billion with two sureties each in the sum of N500 million.
On Nov. 21, 2013, the prosecution opened its case by calling on its first witness, Mr Adebayo Adedeji, an Investigating Police Officer.
He had testified on how Ikuforiji allegedly approved various sums from the house.
It was alleged that the duo conspired between April, 2010 and July 2011 to commit "an illegal act of accepting cash payments amounting to N273.3 million" from the assembly without going through a financial institution.
Obla also alleged that Ikuforiji used his position to misappropriate about N500 million belonging to the House of Assembly.
He told the court that the offences contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
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