EFCC Insists Rogue Banker 'Former C.E.O Erastus Akingbola' Can be Treated in Nigeria

Mr. Erastus Akingbola is seeking the court’s permission to travel abroad on medical grounds, while Mr. Dada (his accomplice) is asking the court to compel the EFCC to review his bail conditions.

In a bid to win a favorable ruling for his client, Mr. Akingbola’s counsel,  Wole Olanipekun (SAN) reminded Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of his own favorable decisions in other similar cases. however, the EFCC counsel opposed Mr. Akingbola’s application to travel abroad ostensibly for medical reasons. He stated that the cases cited by the suspect’s lawyer succeeded because the prosecution did not oppose the applications. He noted that the EFCC was opposing Mr. Akingbola’s application with detailed affidavits.

The EFCC’s lawyer noted that the opposition was based on the fact that the fraud suspect, Mr. Akingbola, can be treated within Nigeria. In a written response to the application, the EFCC  listed  ten medical  institutions within Nigeria capable of giving adequate treatment to the suspect.

An investigation by the EFCC revealed that Mr. Akingbola and his supposed doctor were abroad in 2009. The EFCC informed the court that  Mr. Akingbola’s application to travel abroad on medical grounds was a convenient ploy.

The EFCC’s counsel also told the court that the doctor who authored the letter to Mr. Akingbola attached as “Evidence 1” stated in the said letter that he would be referring Mr. Akingbola to other medical professionals. According to the EFCC, this made the genuineness of the rogue banker’s claimed medical challenge more doubtful. 


In a separate application, the lawyer for the second defendant, Mr. Dada, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) argued that his client be allowed to return to his business as a stock broker. He insisted that his client was a stock broker and would need to trade on the floor of the market during the period the EFCC requires him to report. The lawyer added that he was concerned about his own fees, arguing that he could only be paid his legal fees if his client was allowed to go about his business. “My service is not free,” declared the lawyer.

Justice Onigbanjo adjourned the case till Thursday, April 11 when he is expected to rule on the two applications.

Source