Jun.14, 2010

LAGOS- A former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja has urged the Federal High Court to stay further proceedings in the money laundering charge preferred against him by the EFCC.

Ladoja told the court to put the proceedings on hold pending the determination of his appeal.

The anti-graft body had on March 25, 2009, re-arraigned the ex-governor and one of his aides, Waheed Akanbi on a 33–count charge over alleged misuse of state funds to the tune of N4.5 billion before Justice Ramat Mohammed.

Counsel to the ex-governor, Mr. Bolaji Onilenla, said the appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

“We were given an appeal number yesterday as we are appealing the ruling that dismissed our application to quash the charges against Ladoja.

“If we have to start the matter afresh it will affect our appeal and that is why we are asking the court to stay further proceedings pending the determination of our appeal,’’ he said.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide argued that the accused ought to have filed an application properly instead of notifying the court verbally.

“We are not sure if a number had been given to his appeal because I have not been served with any notice of appeal,’’ he said.

Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case till June 18 and directed that necessary documents on the appeal should be filed before him.