- EeZee Tee, stated on Monday that he is prepared to show he is innocent of the fraud charge brought against him by the EFCC.
- His lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, shared this information during a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Music producer Ezekiel Onyedikachi, known as EeZee Tee, stated on Monday that he is prepared to show he is innocent of the fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, shared this information during a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
When the case was called, Ubani announced he was representing the defendant, and Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) was present for the prosecution.
Ubani then let the court know he had filed two preliminary objections to the charge but would be withdrawing them.
When the presiding judge, Justice Alexander Owoeye, asked about the defendant’s location, Ubani informed the court that he had spoken to the defendant. The defendant mentioned he had a serious accident that morning.
Ubani assured the court that his client would be present at the next hearing to enter his plea and demonstrate his innocence.
When Ubani tried to raise his preliminary objection to the charge, the court said no, explaining that it could not hear him until the defendant showed up.
Justice Owoeye noted that the court had not taken jurisdiction since the defendant’s plea was still pending.
The prosecutor referred to sections 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and cases like State vs. Achara and Frn vs. Yahaya Bello, asking the court to dismiss the defense’s arguments. He said:
“My lord, it is a show of shame and outright disrespect for this court for the defendant to be absent on three different occasions in a criminal trial.”
He also informed the court that if the defendant was truly unwell as the lawyer claimed, there should be an affidavit to prove it.
Given this situation, Oyedepo requested the court to issue a bench warrant to ensure the defendant appears, stating that this is necessary to maintain the court’s integrity.
The defense lawyer opposed the court’s decision to issue a bench warrant and promised to bring the defendant in personally. However, the prosecution argued that the defense’s integrity was not relevant to the case.
Oyedepo insisted that the court should issue a legal order to ensure the defendant appears.
In a brief decision, the court stated that the earlier bench warrant remains in effect since it has not been revoked.
As a result, the defendant is required to appear in court on the next adjourned date for his arraignment, either under the current bench warrant or through his defense attorney.
Following the lawyers’ agreement, the court has moved the case to March 6 for arraignment.
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