N82.8m theft: EFCC seeks arrest warrant against Cross Country boss

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday asked an Ikeja High Court to issue a warrant of arrest against a transporter, Bube Okorodudu, charged with N82.8 million theft.

The commission made the request through one of its counsel, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

Okorodudu and his transport firm, Cross Country Ltd., were charged alongside another company, Car Link Ltd.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendants are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and uttering.

According to the EFCC, the defendants stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Ltd and Mr Adeloye Olukemi.

During Monday’s proceedings, Jackson noted that the accused had failed to appear before the court since the matter began and had yet to take his plea.

He, therefore, asked the court to issue the bench warrant against Okorodudu so that he would be produced to face trial.

Okorodudu’s counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), however, objected to the application, insisting that there was a subsisting application by his client challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Clark argued that the proper procedure was for the court to first resolve the issue of jurisdiction before ruling on the EFCC’s application for bench warrant.

According to him, the court cannot make pronouncement on a case where its jurisdiction is still being challenged.

The judge, after hearing the submissions of both counsel, asked them to provide the court with relevant authorities to assist him in his ruling on the issue.

Lawal-Akapo, subsequently, adjourned the matter till April 8, for ruling. (NAN)