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Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Ikeja High Court is set to deliver a crucial ruling on February 16 concerning the court’s jurisdiction in a case involving an alleged N950 million fraud against Olusegun Ogunbanjo, a former employee of Punch newspaper.
The case, with suit number ID/21559C/2023, also involves several other defendants including Olawunmi Ogunbanjo, Vaneloo International Ltd., Valeco Global Ventures, Bagco Garba, Taofeek Ogunbanjo, Ifeanyi Odogwu, Bound Media Ltd., and Godwin Benson.
Justice Ijelu adjourned proceedings after the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, and counsel to Ogunbanjo, Mr. C.J. Jiakponna, presented their written arguments.
Jiakponna, in challenging the court’s jurisdiction, submitted a 17-paragraph affidavit dated Nov. 16, 2023, urging the court to dismiss the case due to lack of jurisdiction. He argued that the matter was already ongoing at the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court.
However, Martins countered with an 11-paragraph affidavit dated Dec. 11, 2023, asserting that the objection lacked merit. He highlighted that the decision to elevate the case to the high court was lawful and should take precedence over the proceedings at the magistrates’ court.
Martins emphasized, “Once the high court matter has been filed, that supersedes the one before the magistrates’ court. There are authorities cited to that effect.”
Ogunbanjo had been arraigned before the Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court on March 10, 2023, for allegedly defrauding individuals of N950 million by falsely claiming the funds were for purchasing stationery. He was granted bail pending trial.
The charges against Ogunbanjo include obtaining by false pretenses, forgery, and stealing, as outlined in Sections 287, 314, and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
