The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal yesterday ordered former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, to continue his N4.7bn money laundering trial before a Federal High Court, Lagos, instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Ladoja, through his lawyer, Dr. Dapo Olanipekun from Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) law firm had filed an appeal against the decision of the lower court which refused to quash the 10- count of money laundering charge.
In its judgement delivered by Justice Sidi Bage, the appellate court refused the appeal and ordered the former governor to continue his trial at the lower court.
Justice Bage in his lead judgement unanimously adopted by other two justices held that the EFCC has power to prosecute under Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004.
The appellate court held that Section 14 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004 gives power to EFCC to prosecute the former governor.
Besides, the court held that Section 7(2) of the EFCC Act also empowered the Commission to prosecute money laundering offences.
However, Ladoja through his counsel has vowed to challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.
The former governor had in his appeal argued that the proof of evidence accompanying the charges instituted before the trial court failed to link him with the alleged crime, adding that it did not establish any prima facie case against him. Ladoja prayed the appellate court to reverse the ruling of the Federal High Court and quash the charges.
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