LAGOS, NIGERIA – The trial of a former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd, Olusegun Ogunbanjo, accused of a multimillion-naira stationery fraud, was stalled on Friday due to the defendant’s change of counsel.

Ogunbanjo, is standing trial before an Ikeja High Court, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, stealing and forgery.

He is being tried alongside Olawunmi Ogunbanjo, Vaneloo International Ltd., Valeco Global Ventures, and Bagco Garba.

Also charged are Taofeek Ogunbanjo, Ifeanyi Odogwu, Bound Media Ltd., and Godwin Benson, who are still at large.

Ogunbanjo was arraigned on June 21, 2024, and he pleaded not guilty.

When the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, informed the court that the case was for continuation of trial and there were witnesses in court.

However, Mr James Babatunde, who appeared for Ogunbanjo, informed the court that he was the defendant’s new counsel and prayed for an adjournment for him to study the case file.

Babatunde argued that he took over the case on April 1 when he met the defendant at a correctional centre.

“I met with the defendant on April 1 at a correctional centre.

“We wrote a letter to this court requesting for the court’s proceedings and other relevant documents.

“We do not even have the copy of the charge sheet so it will be difficult to proceed on this matter without knowing the history of the matter,” he said.

The prosecutor, Martins, however, objected to the request made by the defence for adjournment.

He argued that the court gave enough time to the defendant to get a new lawyer.

“I do not know why my learned friend is saying he just got into the matter.

“The case was called up four weeks ago, and that is enough time for the defendant to have gotten another lawyer.

“I humbly pray the court to reject the defence’s request for adjournment,” Martins said.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, thereafter adjourned the case until May 27 for continuation of the trial, after listening to the submissions of both parties.

The trial did not proceed on March 4, due to the absence of the defence counsel.

The judge had informed the defendant that he would personally defend himself at the next adjourned date if his counsel failed to appear.

A witness, Mr Olusegun Durodola, had on Jan. 21, testified how the defendant allegedly swindled his old school students’ association of millions of naira.

He testified that the defendant obtained the money under the pretext of embarking on a stationery investment.

According to the charge, Ogunbanjo and others now at large, committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that he fraudulently obtained the sum of N417 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun.

The defendant was alleged to have obtained the money from different individuals, under the pretext of purchasing stationery and other supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

Ogunbanjo was also accused of stealing and converting to his personal use, thousands of dollars owned by one lkuoyajesin.

The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 285, 287, 314, 365 and 411 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

NAN