Babalakin absent in court, lawyer claims he's on crutches

The Lagos High Court Sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday  adjourned till 23 September its ruling on whether to quash the criminal charges preferred against the Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Wale Babalakin and his co-defendants.

Mr Babalakin, Alex Okoh, their companies, Stabilini Visioni Ltd., Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are being prosecuted for allegedly transferring N4.7 billion on behalf of the convicted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

They were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the matter came up in court on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, informed the parties that the ruling on the four separate applications filed by the defendants were not ready.

Justice Onigbanjo said he wanted to deliver the ruling on the applications on the same day and consequently adjourned the matter.

Mr Babalakin was however not present in the courtroom and his counsel, Abiodun Layonu  apologised to the court for his client's absence from the dock.

He said Mr Babalakin who was within the premises of the court, had a temporary health challenge which was affecting his physical mobility.

'It is extremely painful for him to endeavour to move.

'At the moment, he is on crutches My Lord,' Mr Layonu stated.