N25bn Alleged Fraud: Judges’ holiday stalls Igbinedion’s ruling again

A federal court has again rescheduled its judgement in a case of alleged N25 billion fraud involving Michael Igbinedion, a younger brother to a former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.

The case was stalled Friday due to an extended Easter break for judges.

Mr. Igbinedion was arraigned alongside Charles Eboigbodin by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged money laundering, misappropriation of funds, conspiracy and abuse of office.

A new date, April 20, was fixed for the trial by Justice J. Liman of the Federal High Court in Benin, the capital of Edo State.
 
The extension came barely a month after Mr. Liman promised there would to be no further delay in delivering the ruling which has suffered several adjournments since January 30 when the case was first fixed for judgment. 
 
On March 10, counsels had to re-adopt their earlier adopted written addresses in line with the constitutional provision that, “after 90 days of adopting written addresses, if judgment is not delivered, the judge can summon the parties to re-adopt”.      

Messers. Igbinedion and Eboigbodin and their companies – Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited were also joined in the case.