Lagos: A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Oba Otudeko, the Chairman of the Honeywell Group, and others involved in the case. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke struck out the charges following the EFCC’s notification to the court that a full settlement had been reached among the parties involved.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the EFCC had initially filed a 13-count charge against Oba Otudeko and other defendants, including Olabisi Onasanya, a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Ltd. The move toward a peaceful resolution was initiated by a meeting convened at the instance of the Attorney General, as informed by the defense counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), during a previous court session on March 17.
When the case was revisited, legal representatives for both the prosecution and the defense confirmed that outstanding issues, particularly between the first defendant and the nominal complainant, First Bank, had been amicably resolved. Prosecutor Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) confirmed that all issues had been settled, citing section 180 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to justify the discontinuation of the matter in the interest of justice and public policy.
Justice Aneke consequently struck out the charges, marking the end of the legal proceedings. In response, Honeywell issued a statement through its counsel, Olasumbo Abolaji, welcoming the development as a reaffirmation of Otudeko’s integrity. The statement emphasized that the proceedings were rooted in a commercial transaction that had been resolved years ago without any admission of wrongdoing.
Honeywell reiterated its commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth through various sectors, including food, energy, infrastructure, and financial services. The statement also highlighted Otudeko’s extensive contributions to Nigeria’s economic and institutional development over the past six decades.
