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N4.7b fraud: Heavy workload stalls Ladoja’s case

By on April 9, 2013

The criminal charge hanging on former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, could not go on as planned on Monday at the Lagos division of Appeal Court owing to ‘too much workload.’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Ladoja and others before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly enriching themselves fraudulently to the tune of N4.7 billion.

The Appeal Court had fixed Monday for the hearing of the appeal but decided to adjourn it till April 19 for definite hearing.

The appellate court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, informed Ladoja’s counsel, Dapo Olanipekun, that hearing of the appeal would place more pressure on the court.

Justice Saulawa said the court was confronted with too much work and cannot take arguments on the appeal.

He pointed out that the appeal, being a criminal matter, would require that judgment must be delivered within specific date.

‘’The court is under pressure and this panel alone has over 19 judgments to deliver. The pressure in Lagos is more because of the volume of cases. We need adequate time to write and deliver these judgments,” Justice Saulawa clarified.The judge also ruled that the proof of evidence placed before the court by the EFCC had links with the charges preferred against Ladoja and that a prima facie case had been disclosed against him.

 

( Daily Independent)