Access Bank’s statements regarding the property dispute between it and Gbolahan Obanikoro, among others, are misleading.
This comes as Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, ordered the arrest of Access Bank’s Managing Director, Bolaji Agbede, along with three others, for allegedly failing to appear for their arraignment.
The judge’s order also applies to Balmoral International Limited, DDSS International Company Limited, and Adejare Adegbenro.
Justice Harrison issued the arrest warrant after Lagos State prosecution counsel, Uthman Rilwan, informed the court that the defendants had been served notice of the proceedings but failed to attend their arraignment.
The Lagos State government had filed a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and attempted theft against the defendants.
When the case was called, Rilwan told the court that the purpose of the day’s session was to arraign the defendants. However, they were absent despite being duly notified of the court date.
The prosecutor alleged that, on or about September 2, 2013, at Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the defendants conspired to commit theft.
He further claimed that Adejare, Balmoral, Access Bank, and Agbede stole property belonging to MOB Integrated Services at Plot 40B, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by using it as security for a loan without the complainant’s consent. The defendants subsequently entered into a consent judgment regarding the matter.
Additionally, the defendants were accused of attempting to steal MOB Integrated Services’ property on May 26, 2019, by offering and granting DDSS International Company Limited a credit facility of N1 billion.
According to the prosecutor, these actions contravened Sections 411, 280, and 21 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
Rilwan stated, *”My Lord, this matter is for arraignment today, and the defendants have been duly served with a copy of the charge. We request the court to issue a bench warrant for the defendants’ arrest to ensure they attend proceedings on the next court date.”*
Consequently, Justice Harrison issued a bench warrant against the second to fifth defendants—Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede, and DDSS International Company Limited.
The judge directed that the bench warrant be executed against the principal officers and adjourned the case to February 24, 2025, for the defendants’ arraignment.
