Ibeto Risks Arrest As Court Talks Tough

The scheduled arraignment of businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto alongside his company, Ibeto Energy Development Company, before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja was, again, stalled due to the absence of the defendants in court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) slammed Ibeto and his company with a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery and deception.

Apart from the duo, also included in the charge was another company linked to Ibeto, Odoh Holdings Ltd.
The charge against the defendants is currently pending before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the criminal division of the Lagos High Court Ikeja.

The court had at the last sitting adjourned to October 5, 2023, for arraignment due to the defendants’ absence, and the plea of Ibeto’s Counsel for adjournment on medical grounds to enable Ibeto to be present.

At the resumed hearing on October 5, the defendants’ counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), informed the court that the ill health of Ibeto was the reason for his absence and pleaded for another adjournment of the matter.

Reacting to the absence of the defendants in court, the prosecutor and EFCC’s Counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN), reminded the judge that the case was adjourned at the last proceeding due to the absence of the defendants.

He, however, reluctantly acquiesced to the defence counsel’s plea for adjournment to enable Ibeto to be present in court.

Ikpeazu, however, informed the court that the defendants had already approached the prosecution for an
out-of-court settlement and the process was ongoing.

After listening to the parties, Justice Ijelu frowned at the approach of the defendants, noting that the court couldn’t assume jurisdiction on the case until the defendants submitted themselves for trial by appearing to take a plea.

The judge reminded the defence counsel of Ibeto that the court had earlier adjourned the case twice at the instance of the defendants, adding that if the defendants want to explore out of court settlement, they must first submit themselves for trial.

The court, however, further adjourned the case till November 3, this year, for definite arraignment of the defendants.