The trial of of the embattled Chairman, Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin who allegedly laundered N4.7bn on behalf of the convicted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, was stalled again following the reassignment of the case to Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips.
The trial was adjourned to November 27.
Babalakin and four other defendants are facing 27 counts of conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefits on account of public action.
The defendants and their companies — Stabilini Visioni Ltd, Bi-Courtney Ltd and Renix Nigeria Ltd – are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the alleged money-laundering charges.
The court’s registrars told counsel for the EFCC and Babalakin that they had yet to receive the case file from the Chief Judge.
They also confirmed that the court would not sit until the case file was received and asked the lawyers to suggest a date for further hearing of the case.
Both Babalakin’s counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and the EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), agreed that the case should be adjourned to November 27.
Meanwhile, the registrars in the court of the former judge, who handled the case, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, have informed both parties that the case file was no longer in their custody.
