By SAM POPOOLA, Lagos
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday adjourned till June 11, for either report of settlement or arraignment of defendants, in a suit against Chairman of the Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko and two others.
TheCaveat.com.ng reports that at the resumed hearing of the matter today, Otudeko, the first defendant, was still absent in court, only the second and third defendants were docked.
The trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned the case following an information by first defence counsel, Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), that parties were still negotiating settlement.
He told the court that settlement had not broken down but still on.
Recall that at the last adjourned date of March 17, Chief Wole Olanipekun had informed the court that a meeting involving all counsel , had been convened at the instance of the Attorney General.
He had said that this was aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement of the case.
On her part, the prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, confirmed the position to the court but added that the case be adjourned for report of settlement or arraignment.
The court has now adjourned the case until June 11, for report of settlement or arraignment.
The EFCC had preferred a 13-count charge against Otudeko and a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya.
Also charged is a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
The case was earlier scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 20, but the defendants were absent on the grounds that the EFCC had not served them with any charge.
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