Subsidy fraud: Court orders arrest of 2 oil marketers

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday issued a bench warrant on two oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, for failing to attend their trial without cogent reasons.

The warrant for the arrest was issued by Justice Lateefat Okunnu against the two marketers, who were standing trial over alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

The  duo are standing trial alongside Abdullahi Alao, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao.

The marketers and their companies; Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd, were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.

During Tuesday's proceedings, only Alao appeared before the court when the matter was called, while Olalusi was represented by his counsel, Mr C.Z. Katung.

The EFCC counsel, Mrs Olubunmi Bosede, told the court that the defendants had not sent any notice to the prosecution regarding their absence.

Bosede, therefore, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant on the two marketers.

In a short ruling, Okunnu dismissed Katung's objection that his client was not aware of the proceedings.

The judge consequently issued the bench warrant on them before adjourning the matter to Oct. 9 for further hearing. (NAN)