N1.7 billion ‘fraud’: You must face trial, judge tells First Nation MD

Mojisola Dada, a judge of Ikeja special offences court, has ordered Kayode Odukoya, managing director of First Nation Airways, to face trial over alleged N1.7 billion theft charge proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Odukoya is facing a four-count charge of forgery, use of false document, perjury and stealing.

Olawale Akoni, defence counsel, had prayed for an order of the court striking out the charge for want of jurisdiction.

The defendant, in the application, said the EFCC charge contravened the provisions of sections 249, 252 and 77 of the administration of criminal justice law (ACJL), no. 10 of 2011.

Opposing the application, the anti-graft agency urged the court to dismiss Odukoya’s application on the ground that it lacked merit and was an abuse of process of court.

Dada, in a ruling on Friday, dismissed the objection seeking to quash the charges.

“The totality of the preliminary objection fails and is hereby dismissed,” she said.

“The proper parties are before the court and the application is a time wasting device.”

Following the ruling, Zainab Ettu, prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that nine prosecuting witnesses were to testify against the airline boss.

“We will be asking the court for trial dates,” Ettu said.

The judge fixed November 7, 8 and 9 for the trial.

Odukoya’s operating licence has since been suspended by the aviation authorities.