Legal Battle Resumes for Quartet Accused of Alleged Purchase of Forged Bank Notes
In a riveting turn of events at the Lagos State High Court, the trial of Mark Obisesan, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, and the late Goodluck Bazunu over the alleged purchase of forged bank notes has taken a dramatic twist. Justice I.O. Ijelu has adjourned the proceedings until February 15, 2024, injecting fresh intrigue into this high-stakes legal saga.
The quartet, who were re-arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 11-count charge, faced allegations of purchasing forged bank notes and conspiring to commit this financial offence. The charges were brought under Section 370 and Section 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and that reflects the gravity of the accusations.
Thursday’s court session witnessed a significant development as counsel for Bazunu, Ndubuisi Oraenyen, informed the court of the unfortunate demise of his client, who was the fourth defendant. This revelation prompted a motion from the prosecution, represented by N.K. Ukoha, requesting a hearing pause to verify the authenticity of the defendant’s death. However, Justice Ijelu ruled that the verification process should not impede the ongoing proceedings.
Mark Obisesan took the stand to open his defence, shedding light on the intricate details of the case. Led by his counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, Obisesan asserted that the traveller’s’ cheques found in his possession were purchased from the second defendant, Olumide Mcintouch, a relationship spanning over two decades. He detailed the financial transaction, noting the payment from his Stanbic Bank account to Mcintouch’s GTBank account.
To fortify his claims, Obisesan identified and tendered his bank statement as evidence, a move unopposed and admitted by the court. In a surprising twist, he revealed reaching out to Travelex, the company issuing the cheques, upon discovering that one had been bought over, receiving confirmation of its authenticity.
Under cross-examination, the defendant admitted a past involvement in identity theft in the United Kingdom, adding that he had never purchased traveller’s cheques before this incident. He affirmed his trust in Mcintouch, emphasizing the genuine nature of the initial transactions. In response to questions from the third defense counsel, N.T. Adegbagbo, Obisesan disclosed meeting Bolaji Bakare in EFCC custody.
As the courtroom buzzed with revelations and counterpoints, Justice Ijelu adjourned the trial until JusticeFebruary 15, 2024, leaving the legal arena and the public at large in suspense. The coming hearings promise more twists and revelations in this gripping legal battle. Stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.
