Billionaire businessman Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, has failed to appear in court in his ongoing legal battle with the Federal Government. His lawyers have also refused to undertake to produce him at the next hearing, citing health reasons.
The case, which came up on February 13, 2025, involves the Federal Government as the complainant against Oba Otudeko, Bisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage.
Legal Representation & Court Proceedings
The prosecution’s legal team was led by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, while Babajide Koku SAN and Buchi Ofulue appeared on behalf of First Bank (FBN), which is also involved in the matter.
The defendants were represented by top legal minds:
1.Otudeko’s lawyers – Wole Olanipekun SAN & Bode Olanipekun SAN
2.Olabisi Onasanya’s lawyers – Olumide Fusika SAN & Supo Shasore SAN
3.Soji Akintayo’s lawyer – Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN
4.Anchorage’s lawyer – Dr. Charles Adebayo SAN
During the hearing, Otudeko’s lawyers urged the court to consider their preliminary objection, arguing that the allegations against him stem from a loan facility and boardroom politics rather than criminal conduct. They claimed that the case was part of a scheme by other shareholders to take control of First Bank, adding that the charge lacks a prima facie case against Otudeko and his co-defendants.
However, EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo SAN opposed this argument, referencing a recent Court of Appeal decision in Yahaya Bello, which ruled that a defendant must be arraigned and take a plea before filing jurisdictional objections.
Allegations Against Otudeko & Co-Defendants
The prosecution presented documented evidence alleging that Otudeko and Onasanya, while serving as Chairman and Managing Director of First Bank, fraudulently transferred ₦6 billion on November 26, 2013, into an account secretly opened under the name V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited.
According to Oyedepo, the funds were later funneled into Anchorage’s account, with Otudeko and Onasanya orchestrating the transaction to defraud First Bank.
Otudeko’s Lawyers Refuse to Undertake His Attendance as Court Adjourns to March 17
After hearing oral submissions, the court adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, to determine whether Otudeko must appear in court for arraignment before the jurisdictional challenge can be entertained.
At the end of the session, Oyedepo applied for an order mandating Otudeko to appear in court on March 17, urging Olanipekun to guarantee his client’s presence, as other defense lawyers had done for their clients.
However, Olanipekun refused, citing Otudeko’s ill health as the reason he could not guarantee his attendance. He stated that Otudeko was undergoing a medical examination, though court records noted that his last doctor’s visit was on February 14, 2025.
In response, the court stated that March 17, 2025, was sufficient time for Otudeko to make himself available and warned that if he failed to appear, it would consider granting the prosecution’s request for a formal order against him.
