A Federal High Court in Lagos has set February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four other defendants in connection with a ₦1.356 billion fraud case.
The defendants face charges of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, false representation, and fraud.
The other defendants named in the case include Adejare Adegbenro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, and DDSS International Company Limited.
The case stems from allegations that between May and September 2013, the defendants defrauded Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank) of the ₦1.356 billion.
During proceedings on January 24, 2025, the court adjourned the arraignment after the defendants failed to appear. Prosecution counsel Momoh Bello requested a bench warrant for their arrest, citing evidence of service.
However, Joshua Abel, counsel for the fourth defendant, argued that late service and inadequate briefing had caused delays in their appearance.
The court reviewed the service documents and found that proper service had not been effected on the first two defendants, who are natural persons.
However, service was confirmed for the third and fourth defendants—both companies. The judge directed the prosecution to regularize service for all parties involved.