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Labour’s strike stalls arraignment of Ibeto over alleged N48.8b fraud
The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has announced temporary closure of all its business offices due to the ongoing industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
In a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Communication and Strategy, Babatunde Lasaki, the EKEDC said majority of its business offices had temporarily been closed due to the ongoing NLC strike.
The statement also said that cash payment services would operate on a reduced scale during the period and encouraged customers to use approved e-payment channels to pay their utility bills to enable them to stay connected.
The EKEDC emphasised that all customers’ complaints should be addressed to the company’s official channels, including customer care lines.
MEANWHILE, the ongoing strike embarked on by the NLC) has stalled the arraignment of Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Cletus Ibeto, before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, earlier billed for yesterday.
The trial judge, Justice Ismail Ijelu, had on November 3, 2023 fixed November 15 for the defendant’s arraignment after ordering for his arrest.
The bench warrant issued by the court was sequel to a motion moved by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who said that the defendant had flagrantly failed and refused to appear in court, despite hearing notice repeatedly served on him.
The EFCC had charged the defendant alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd, over an alleged N4.8 billion fraud.
The anti-graft agency filed a 10-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, forgery and fraudulent use of documents.
The defendant’s arraignment was earlier stalled on September 28, October 5 and November 3 due to his failure to appear in court, although his lawyers represented him.
As a result of the ongoing NLC strike, the defendant’s arraignment, which had been slated for yesterday, could not go on as the workers’ union locked the entrance to the court premises.
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