A chartered accountant, Ms. Omafume Augustina Ayinuola, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to lift the freezing order placed by the police on her bank account over alleged fraud.
Ayinuola and her mother, Lydia Abosede Erhievuyere are facing trial before the court for alleged stealing of the sum of N1.5 billion belonging to the company of Mr Peter Ololo.
When the case last came up, counsel to the defendants, Olubusola Ashiru prayed the court to hear the defendant’s motion seeking to lift the lien placed on her accounts.
Ashiru also prayed for the release of the property illegally taken away from the defendants by the police and the nominal complainant, Ololo.
After some arguments between the prosecutor, Mr. Morufu Animasaun and Ashiru on the propriety or otherwise of the application, Justice Ogundare ordered Ashiru to move the application.
While moving the application, Ashiru urged the court to grant an order lifting the lien placed on the defendants’ accounts or in other words, unfreeze the various bank accounts that the police have frozen or placed ‘Post No Debit’ on.
Ashiru also sought an order from the court, directing the prosecutor to release all the properties of the defendant.
He said that while the matter was pending before Justice Ogundare, the prosecutor ran to another court to obtain an order to freeze the accounts and placed liens on the defendant’s properties.
However, the prosecutor in his 19 paragraphs counter affidavit filed in opposition to the defendants’ motion, urged the court to dismiss the motion.
Animasahun while moving the counter affidavit urged the court to dismiss the application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.
He said the essence of the freezing order obtained by the prosecution from Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala’s court was to preserve the res as there are persistent intelligence reports that the defendant, through third parties, is making efforts to dissipate the assets bought with the alleged proceeds of crime.
Animasaun said the prosecution has placed sufficient facts and evidence to prove its case against the defendants.
He, thereforLydia Abosede Erhievuyeree, urged the court to dismiss the defendant’s motion and ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.
After hearing from the parties, the trial judge adjourned the case to July 11, 2024 to rule on the defendant’s motion and for a definite trial.
