The scheduled trial of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Fidet Okhiria Edetanle for alleged fraud of fraud involving $385,000 and ₦165,438,000.00 was stalled before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Wednesday.
When the matter was called, the defence counsel, Adebowale Kamoru informed that the defendant had filed a motion dated May 12, 2026, seeking two reliefs from the court against the charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The defence counsel told the court that the application was necessary following an information received by the defendant on Friday regarding a further forfeiture order.
Based on this, the counsel sought two reliefs; one is that the court should strike out the charge against the defendant.
The defence argued that proceeding with the current charge after the forfeiture proceedings could amount to “additional forfeiture” against the defendant.
Also the defence counsel urged the court to strike out the charge and also compel the prosecution to provide documents and materials needed for the defence.
The application triggered argument and counter argument between the defence and prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, over access to documents and the propriety of the reliefs sought.
Justice Oshodi questioned the defence on whether it intended to pursue both reliefs, that is striking out the charge and requesting additional documents to defend the charge.
In response, the defence counsel maintained that the defence intended to pursue all reliefs contained in the motion.
In response, prosecution counsel opposed the application, arguing that the parties were in court to commence trial.
The prosecution counsel also noted that a witness from Zenith Bank was already in court and prepared to tender statements of account which had allegedly been served on the defence.
During the proceedings, Justice Oshodi repeatedly urged both parties to resolve outstanding issues relating to documents outside the courtroom.
The judge directed the defence to formally identify and request specific documents needed for the trial rather than making broad references to pages in the proof of evidence.
Following submissions by both parties, the court agreed that the prosecution would respond to the defence application after being served.
The defendant had been arraigned before Justice Oshodi in February 24, 2025.
Edetanle was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and unlawful enrichment by a public official.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the offences are said to contravene Sections 332(1) and 332(3), Section 73(1), and Section 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 20, 2026, for hearing and further proceedings in the trial.
