(NIGERIA) A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, today ordered the arrest of Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Dr Olufemi Omotoso.
Justice Lawal-Akapo's decision was consequent upon the alleged refusal of Omotosho to appear before the court for his arraignment over alleged bribery. The judge made an observation that Dr
Omotoso's alleged accomplice, Ayo Owoka who is a lawyer appeared in court, just as he expressed dissatisfaction that the arraignment could not take place due to his absence.
Justice Lawal-Akapo consequently directed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC), to effect the arrest of Omotoso and produce him in court on January 26, 2015 for the arraignment.
The duo were dragged to court over alleged conspiracy to offer a N1.2 million bribe to EFCC officers on February 27, 2014. They are facing a five-count charge that touches on conspiracy, offering of gratification to a public officer and given false information to a public officer.
Lawyer to the anti-graft agency, Babatunde Sonoiki, argued that an EFCC team led by one Usman Zakari, was investigating a petition written against Omotoso for alleged fraud at the FMC.
Sonoiki maintained that the said sum was offered through Owoka to the team to compromise their investigation. He also accused Omotoso of destroying his extra-judicial statement to the EFCC in order to evade prosecution.
According to the EFCC, the offences contravened Section 64 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011 and Section 39 (2) of the EFCC Act of 2004.
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