N8.8m Fraud: Nollywood Producer, Onyeabor, Wants Suit Dismissed

A popular Nollywood producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabor, on Monday urged an Ikeja High Court to dismiss the N8.8 million theft charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Onyeabor’s counsel, Mr F.H. Awalah, made the plea at the resumed hearing of the suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onyeabor, managing director of Igo Motion Pictures International, was arraigned on July 5, 2011 on a seven-count charge bordering on stealing and fraudulent conversion.

The EFCC had alleged that he collected the money from Steve-James Nigeria Ltd. in Dec. 2008 under the pretext of producing two movies — “Young Amazon’’ and “Tribes’’.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Onyeabor’s counsel, Awalah, informed the court that both parties had “amicably resolved the dispute’’.

“The complainant (Okomah) says he is no longer interested in the case; the EFCC should discontinue the prosecution.

“There was a mistake based on misinformation and the parties have resumed their cordial business relationship.

?“The production of the two movies, which led to the dispute, has almost been completed in Ghana.

Collaborating Awalah's claim, the complainant's counsel, Mr Louis Mgbolu, faulted the refusal of the EFCC to halt the trial.

“It is a mockery of the prosecution process because my client is no longer interested in prosecuting the defendant,’’ he told the court.

Justice Habeeb Abiru, who noted that the EFCC had no legal representation in court, however, refused to dismiss the charges.

He said:“The matter was filed by the EFCC. There is nothing I can do. I cannot strike out the matter.

“But if by the next date of adjournment they are not here, I will close their case and the defendant will open his defence”.

The case has been adjourned to Nov.1 for continuation of trial. (NAN)