MD First Nations Airlines asks court to quash theft charges against him

THE Managing Director of FirstNation Airways, Mr Kayode Odukoya on Monday asked an Ikeja Special Offences Court to quash the N1. 7 billion theft charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Odukoya through his counsel, Mr Olawale Akoni (SAN).

In the application dated April 30, 2018, and supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Kerry Anakwenze, the defendants are asking for an Order quashing and/or striking out the Information dated Dec. 11, 2017, for want of jurisdiction.

Odukoya Is standing trial alongside FirstNation Airways and Bellview Airlines on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, use of the false document, perjury and stealing.

At Monday’s proceedings, Akoni informed the court that the defence had filed a notice of preliminary objection which had been served on the prosecution.

Akoni urged the court to give priority to the determination of the application which is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charges against the defendants.

Responding, the EFCC counsel, Mrs Zainab Etuh, confirmed that the prosecution had been served with the application but was yet to file its reply.

Consequently, the presiding Judge, Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the matter till May 21, 2018, for the hearing of the application.

The defendants also asked the court for an Order discharging them of the Information filed against them by the EFCC for want of jurisdiction.

The EFCC had alleged that Odukoya committed the offences of forgery, use of the false document and perjury on March 21, 2013.

The EFCC alleged that the accused forged the Memorandum of Loss of Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 33 at page 33 volume 1011 at the Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa, Lagos, in order that the document is acted upon as genuine.

The forged document was in respect of a property located at No. 29, Oduduwa St., Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Odukoya is alleged by the EFCC to have used the false document, and also gave false information on oath, concerning the loss of the certificate of occupancy at the Lagos State Land Registry.

The anti-graft commission also said that on Oct. 7, 2016, Odukoya stole and dishonestly converted to his own use N1.7 billion belonging to Skye Bank.

All the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.