In 2024, several high-profile legal cases captured public attention, and in some cases, the cases are still ongoing.
These cases involved prominent figures with significant financial stakes; others were matters of public concern.
From allegations of asset seizure and defamation to protests and acquittals, these cases highlight the complexities and challenges within Nigeria’s legal landscape.
Here are some of these cases that made the headlines in 2024.
FBN vs Femi Otedola
A legal case intensified between General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) and First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), with accusations against the bank’s leadership, including Chairman Femi Otedola, for attempting to seize GHL’s assets despite a court injunction barring such actions.
The Federal High Court had previously issued an order prohibiting FBN from enforcing claims or seizing GHL’s assets until arbitration proceedings are concluded. GHL maintains that FBN breached an agreement to provide financing for the exploration and development of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120, resulting in financial and operational setbacks for the company.
Reports suggest that contrary to the court’s directive, FBN secured a freezing order on GHL’s accounts across multiple commercial banks, amounting to $225.8 million. In response, GHL launched contempt proceedings against key FBN officials, accusing them of misleading the court to obtain the injunction.
According to GHL, the freezing of its accounts has hampered its operations and exposed it to significant liabilities, including a potential $15 million penalty from Total Energies and outstanding payments to major service providers like Schlumberger and Halliburton. The oil company alleges that FBN’s actions have aggravated existing challenges linked to AMCON’s restructuring efforts and ongoing contract disputes.
With contempt charges looming, Otedola, the Managing Director, and other senior executives of the bank may face legal repercussions, including possible arrest.
Alleged defamation: Farotimi vs Afe Babalola
On December 6, 2024, Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, was charged with breaching cybercrime laws due to statements he made during an August 2024 online interview.
The comments, connected to his book ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ allegedly implicated Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Aare Afe Babalola in judicial misconduct.
He was further accused of harassment for reiterating these allegations after initiating a libel case against Babalola. The Inspector General of Police filed a 12-count charge against him at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, claiming his remarks were intended to provoke public disorder, in violation of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
An Ado Ekiti Magistrate Court remanded Farotimi at a correctional centre pending his bail hearing on December 10. He was released after meeting bail conditions, including an N30 million bond, two sureties (one with property ownership), surrendering his passport, and agreeing not to grant media interviews.
EndBadGovernance Protests
About 76 protesters from the #EndBadGovernance protest were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Among them were minors charged with 10 felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and mutiny. The court granted bail to the 76 protesters, setting a total bail amount of N760 million, with two sureties per defendant.
Three days later, President Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the immediate release of the minors during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Court of Appeal acquits Doctor of alleged rap.e
The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned the life imprisonment sentence of Dr Olufemi Olaleye, Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, who was previously convicted of raping his wife’s niece. The appellate court discharged and acquitted Olaleye, citing flaws in the trial court’s judgement.
In its ruling, the three-member panel, led by Justice Olukayode Bada, held that the prosecution failed to present credible evidence to prove the alleged victim was a minor, thereby creating reasonable doubt in the case. The court also noted that the trial court erred by relying on questionable testimony from Olaleye’s estranged wife and the alleged victim.
Olaleye had been sentenced by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in October 2023, after being found guilty of defilement and sexual assault. Following the conviction, Olaleye appealed the decision in November 2023 through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), ultimately resulting in his acquittal.
Yahaya Bello and the EFCC
Yahaya Belo, the former governor of Kogi state faced a 19-count charge involving allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The charges include claims of fraudulent financial transactions worth billions of naira and foreign currency, reportedly carried out through multiple companies between 2016 and 2023. Bello denied all charges when arraigned.
During a court session on December 13, 2024, Bello, through his lawyer J.B. Daudu (SAN), apologised to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, for his absence at an earlier hearing, expressing regret over any perceived disregard for the court.
Subsequently, the court granted him bail in the sum of N500 million, requiring two sureties with properties within the court’s jurisdiction. Additional bail conditions include submitting his international passport to the court’s deputy chief registrar providing recent passport photographs, and swearing an affidavit of means.
Justice Nwite directed that Bello remain in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kuje until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
The case was adjourned to 24 28 February 24 and 28, as well as March 6 and 7, 2025 for further proceedings.
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