Onasanya, ex-First Bank MD, appears in court to clear name

…Otudeko’s lawyers say loan fully paid

Bisi Onasanya, former group managing director of First Bank, on Thursday appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Lagos, in a determined effort to prove his innocence and clear his name.

Onasanya, alongside Oba Otudeko, former Chairman of First Bank; Soji Akintayo, a director at Honeywell Group, and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited, refuted allegations of fraud related to a commercial loan transaction at the bank during his time as the group managing director.

Onasanya’s appearance aligns with the commitment made by his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), when the matter first came up in court on January 20, 2025.

Another counsel for Onasanya, Olasupo Shashore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that although the former banker is determined to defend his innocence and clear his name, he aligns with the argument of Otudeko’s lawyers that the court should first hear the preliminary application challenging its jurisdiction before proceeding with the case.

Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is the lead counsel for the 1st defendant (Otudeko), told the court the case is civil in nature because it concerns a bank-customer relationship and should not be treated as a criminal matter by the court.

Read also: Former First Bank GMD, Bisi Onasanya, denies allegations, vows to clear name

Ade Adedeji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, counsel to the 4th defendant, Anchorage Leisure Limited, supported Olanipekun (SAN), stating that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seemed determined to harass and intimidate his clients, despite the loan being fully repaid since 2017 and all parties having agreed to close the matter.

“We filed a preliminary objection, but the EFCC has yet to reply. The loan, which is the subject of prosecution, has long been repaid since 2017, when the EFCC initially waded into the matter. There is clear evidence of repayment available. The continued pursuit of this case by the EFCC amounts to nothing but witch-hunting, intimidation, and harassment of the defendants. It is baffling why a matter that was resolved many years ago is suddenly being resurrected”, the counsel said.

He said an application dated February 10, 2025 had been made, requesting the court to quash or decline jurisdiction over counts 1 to 10, alleging abuse of judicial process and a lack of prima facie evidence.

EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) countered the argument, stating that the allegations in the 13-count charge stemmed from a detailed investigation.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Aneke adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, for ruling on the matter of jurisdiction.

Olumide-Fusika (SAN), counsel to Onasanya, urged the court to allow his client to return home and appear in court on the next adjourned date, stating that Onasanya had complied with the earlier assurance by presenting himself before the court as a mark of respect for the judicial process. Justice Aneke granted the request, permitting Onasanya to go home and return for the next hearing on the adjourned date.

It will be recalled that Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had, at the first sitting, condemned the manner in which the case had been handled, accusing the EFCC of subjecting his client to a ‘media trial’.

Soji Akintayo, the third defendant, also appeared in court while the first defendant Oba Otudeko did not appear on health ground through the application and submission by his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun who stated with support of an Affidavit how and when his client traveled to the United Kingdom for medical reasons through the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.