Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday threatened to send to prison, the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, over failure to appear before the court.
Obanikoro was billed to continue his evidence under cross-examination in the money laundering trial against the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At Thursday’s proceedings, Obanikoro was conspicuously absent.
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By way of explanation, Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that Obanikoro has been hospitalized.
The SAN thereafter presented a medical report from a clinic located at Ikoyi, as evidence.
But Justice Olatoregun observed that if the court is to verify the medical report and it turns out to be false, then the doctor and the hospital that issued the report might have to lose their licenses.
“But I will just allow adjournment because of Mr. Jacobs who is a very responsible senior member of the Bar and not because of this worthless pieces of papers,†the Judge said.
The judge went further to state that if Obanikoro fails to appear at the next adjourned date might attract a committal sentence of three months imprisonment. So that he can be coming to court in black maria.
“He must present himself to the court at the next adjourned date or be compelled to do so,†the Judge said.
Justice Olatoregun thereafter adjourned until March 18, 19 and 20, 2019 for ruling on the admissibility of Justine Erukaa’s statement which was objected to by the EFCC.
At the last sitting, Obanikoro said he was testifying against Fayose reluctantly.
Obanikoro said despite testifying against Fayose, he wouldn’t want their relationship to be destroyed.
Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.
