The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, December 13, 2013 told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that it had filed an appeal at the Supreme Court against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division striking out the theft charge instituted against a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FinBank Plc, ( now First City Monument Bank), Mr Okey Nwosu.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, had on November 21, 2013 struck out the theft charge preferred against the former banker. The court ruled that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charges because they emanated from capital market transactions. According to the court, such transactions should be handled by the Federal High Court.
Following the ruling, three former directors of the bank, Dayo Famoroti; Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike. Who were charged alongside Nwosu approached the Lagos High Court to dismiss the charges preferred against them based on the judgment of the appellate court.
But counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, SAN, prayed the court to adjourn the matter indefinitely pending the determination of its appeal at the apex court.
Justice Okunnu upheld the prayers of Jacob and adjourned the matter sine die to allow the Supreme Court rule on the matter.
It would be recalled that Okey Nwosu was arraigned alongside Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi, Agnes Ebubedike, on a 26-count charge bordering on stealing and illegal conversion of N19. 2 billion belonging to the bank.
