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Court Adjourns Otudeko Fraud Case to June 11 for Settlement Talks
By Exponent News Akure.8th May, 2025
A Federal High Court in Lagos has further adjourned proceedings in the fraud case involving the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, and others, to June 11, 2025, for continuation of settlement discussions.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the adjournment on Thursday following an update from the first defence counsel, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), who informed the court that negotiations toward a peaceful resolution of the matter were still ongoing.
At the resumed hearing, Olanipekun told the court that the settlement talks had not broken down and that all parties remained engaged in the process. His remarks echoed earlier statements made on March 17 by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who had disclosed that a meeting of all counsel had been convened at the instance of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to facilitate an amicable settlement.
Also speaking at the hearing, EFCC counsel Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari-Bala confirmed the ongoing negotiations but requested that the case be adjourned for either a report of settlement or arraignment.
Justice Aneke subsequently adjourned the matter to June 11 for a formal update on the status of the settlement or to proceed with arraignment.
Otudeko is facing a 13-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences alongside a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya; a former Honeywell board member, Soji Akintayo; and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited. The charges were brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under suit number FHC/L/20C/2025.
The defendants were initially scheduled to be arraigned on January 20, but the session was stalled as the EFCC had not served them with the charges.
