Alleged N35million fraud: Abiola’s son’s trial suffers setback

IKEJA- A fresh application brought by Mr. Deji Abiola, son of late politician, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, to quash the N35.5 million fraud charge brought against him, Thursday, stalled his trial  before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court.

Deji Abiola heading to court room

Deji, who was last June arraigned on one-count charge of swindling one Mr. Jide Jose, under the pretext of importing printing machines from Switzerland, told the court that the offences brought against him was malicious and of no effect.

Moving the application through his counsel, Chief Jimoh Lasisi, SAN, Abiola, whose trial was expected to commence, urged the court to quash the charge against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

According to Abiola, the charge was a business transaction which had been criminalised by the prosecution. He asked the court to quash the charge and set him free.

EFCC’s counsel did not object to the application, but asked for an adjournment to respond to the fresh application.

Abiola had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, and was subsequently granted bail for N2 million by Justice Onigbanjo.

The court adjourned the matter till November 10, for the prosecution to respond to the application.

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By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, OAMEN AREGUAMEN & KEHINDE OLASANMI