Counsel to defendants in a N12.3 billion charge against Chairman of the Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko and others, on Monday announced appearance in protest in the charge. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred a 13-count charge against Otudeko, and a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya, also charged is a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.

The charge is marked FHC/L/20C/2025. The defendants were accused of allegedly obtaining N12.3billion from First Bank under pretence. When the case was called Counsel to Otudeko, Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), and other counsels to second, third and fourth informed the court that he was appearing in protest in the case, as the charge has not been served on his client.

When Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke then raised a question as to their appearances in the court, they claimed the information was received through the screaming media headlines while the defendants had not been served. In response, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) told the court that efforts had being made severally, to effect service on the defendants without success. The court, consequently, adjourned the case until Feb. 13, for arraignment of the defendants.