Dr. Bisi Onasanya, the former Group Managing Director of First Bank, appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, resolved to prove his innocence and clear his name.
Onasanya, together with former First Bank Chairman Oba Otudeko, a director at Honeywell Group, Soji Akintayo, and Anchorage Leisure Limited, is denying charges of fraud in connection with a commercial loan transaction at the bank while he was the group managing director.
Onasanya’s appearance is consistent with the pledge made by his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), when the case first came up in court on January 20, 2025.
Another counsel for Onasanya, Olasupo Shashore (SAN), argued that while the former banker is determined to defend his innocence and clear his name, he agrees with Otudeko’s lawyers that the court should first hear the preliminary application challenging its jurisdiction before proceeding with the case.
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the lead counsel for the first defendant (Otudeko), informed the court that the issue is civil in nature because it involves a bank-customer interaction and should not be considered as a criminal matter by the court.
Ade Adedeji (SAN), counsel for the fourth defendant, Anchorage Leisure Limited, backed Chief Olanipekun (SAN), claiming that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission appeared determined to harass and intimidate his clients, despite the loan being fully repaid since 2017 and all parties agreeing to close the case.
“We filed a preliminary objection, but the EFCC has yet to reply. The loan, which is the subject of prosecution, has long been repaid since 2017, when the EFCC initially waded into the matter. There is clear evidence of repayment available. The continued pursuit of this case by the EFCC amounts to nothing but a witch hunt, intimidation, and harassment of the defendants. It is baffling why a matter that was resolved many years ago is suddenly being resurrected.”
He stated that an application dated February 10, 2025, had been filed, demanding that the court quash or deny jurisdiction over counts one through ten, alleging misuse of judicial process and a lack of prima facie evidence.
EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) responded by claiming that the charges in the 13-count charge were the result of a thorough investigation.
Following submissions from both sides, Justice Aneke delayed the case to March 17, 2025, to rule on the issue of jurisdiction.
Onasanya’s counsel, Olumide-Fusika (SAN), begged the court to allow his client to return home and appear in court on the next adjourned date, adding that Onasanya had followed with the earlier assurance by presenting himself before the court as a sign of respect for the judicial process.
Justice Aneke granted the plea, allowing Onasanya to return home and attend the next hearing on the delayed date.
It should be noted that at the first sitting, Olumide-Fusika (SAN) lambasted the way the matter was conducted, accusing the EFCC of putting his client to a media trial.’.
Mr. Soji Akintayo, the third defendant, also appeared in court, while the first defendant, Oba Otudeko, did not appear due to health issues, according to his lawyer, Olanipekun, who stated in an affidavit how and when his client traveled to the United Kingdom for medical reasons via Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
