The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned father-in-law and wife-in-law, Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija on two charges of conspiracy and using false documents before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
However, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Prosecution counsel M. S. Owede then prayed to the court for a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants to a Correctional Facility.
Counsel to the first defendant, M.O. Akangbe SAN, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which he had filed and served on the prosecution.
He prayed the court to move the application and urged the court to grant bail in the most liberal terms.
However, counsel to the second defendant, Victor Giwa, prayed the court to move his bail orally, being informed late about the matter and he was not from the jurisdiction.
He claimed that the second defendant, a lawyer with a nine-month-old baby, would not jump bail.
But the defendant’s husband, who appeared before the court, debunked the claim and told the court that their baby is two months old.
After listening to both parties, Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N10 million with substantial sureties in like sum, and he must submit his international passport to the court.
The second defendant was released to her husband, but her international passport was confiscated by the court pending the judgment being concluded.
Both defendants were released by their lawyer, pending their bail being perfected.
The case has been adjourned to May 28, 2024, for the trial to commence.
