The former Group Managing Director of First Bank, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, on Thursday appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Onasanya, alongside former First Bank Chairman Oba Otudeko; a Director at Honeywell Group, Soji Akintayo, and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited, is refuting allegations of fraud related to a commercial loan transaction at the bank during his time as the Group Managing Director.
Onasanya’s appearance aligns with the commitment made by his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), when the matter first came up in court on January 20, 2025.
Another counsel for Onasanya, Olasupo Shashore (SAN), argued that although the former banker is determined to defend his innocence and clear his name, he aligns with the argument of Otudeko’s lawyers that the court should first hear the preliminary application challenging its jurisdiction before proceeding with the case.
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who is the lead counsel for the 1st defendant (Otudeko), told the court the case is civil in nature because it concerns a bank-customer relationship and should not be treated as a criminal matter by the court.
Ade Adedeji (SAN), counsel for the 4th defendant, Anchorage Leisure Limited, supported Chief Olanipekun (SAN), stating that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seemed determined to harass and intimidate his clients, despite the loan being fully repaid since 2017 and all parties having agreed to close the matter.
“We filed a preliminary objection, but the EFCC has yet to reply. The loan, which is the subject of prosecution, has long been repaid since 2017 when the EFCC initially waded into the matter.
“There is clear evidence of repayment available. The continued pursuit of this case by the EFCC amounts to nothing but a witch-hunt, intimidation, and harassment of the defendants.
“It is baffling why a matter that was resolved many years ago is suddenly being resurrected.”
