Alleged N998m ex Punch employee stationary fraud trial suffers setback

The trial of a former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd, Olusegun Ogunbanjo, charged with N998 million stationary fraud on Thursday suffered setback due to the change of counsel.

Ogunbanjo, was on June 21 arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit obtaining under false pretence, stealing and forgery.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumption of hearing on Thursday, Ms M.A Abia-Bassey appeared for defence and informed the court of the demise of the defendant’s counsel, Mr T.E. Okeke.

Abia-Bassey told the court that Okeke was involved in an accident which led to his untimely death.

She added that the defendant was not in good health, therefore urged the court to adjourn the trial.

She said: “My lord, the counsel handling this case unfortunately died last two weeks in a motor accident.

“I have met with the prosecution and informed him of our shortcoming. I was just called this morning to take up the matter.

“Also my lord, the defendant is not in good health though I can not categorically state what is wrong with him and can not tell if he is faking it or not.

“I only pray for one more adjournment to enable the defendant attend to his health.

“We are humbly praying for a short date for the defendant to attend to his health and for me to study the case file as his new counsel.”

The Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, however, informed the court that a prosecution witness, Insp Augustin Lyida was in court to give evidence.

Martins urged the court to allow the witness to give his evidence-in-chief to avoid time wastage.

“I pray the court to allow the witness take his evidence in chief then defence can fill another date to cross-examine so that today is not wasted.

“Concerning the wellness of the defendant, I do not believe because many of them come to court pretending to be sick,” he said.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, consequently, asked the correctional officers about the state of the defendant’s health.

The correctional officers confirmed to the court that the defendant was not medically fit but there was no medical report to proof the claim.

“This case will be adjourned not because of the illness of the defendant because there is no medical report before this court to prove that he is sick.

“This case will be adjourned so that the new counsel can acquaint herself with the case file,” Ijelu ruled.

The judge adjourned the case until Nov. 25 for commencement of trial.

The prosecution had told the court that the defendant with others still at large allegedly committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The prosecution had said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N417 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun on the pretext purchasing stationary and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor also alleged the defendant fraudulently collected N581 million from one Mr Olusola lkuyajesin under the guise of purchasing stationary and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The state counsel also told the court that the defendant allegedly stole and converted some thousands of dollars, property of lkuyajesin to his personal use.

Prosecution also alleged that the defendant forged Punch Local Purchase Orders.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences violate Sections 411 (2) 314, 285, 287 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015)