The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned the former managing director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc Francis Atuche on a nine-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and forgery.
The arraignment took place before Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Mr Atuche was re-arraigned alongside Nnosiri Joachim alias Ifeanyi and Uguru Onyike. The defendants were initially arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
The case was subsequently restarted (“de novo”) before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. However, Justice Onigbanjo has now been reassigned to another division of the Lagos High Court, necessitating a fresh arraignment before Justice Abike-Fadipe.
One of the counts read: “That you, Mr. Francis Atuche, Nnosiri Joachim (a.k.a Ifeanyi) and Uguru Onyike, on or about 4th day of March, 2013, in Lagos, with the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud conspired to commit felony to wit: forgery of a document titled: ‘Board Resolution’ of Future View Securities Limited dated 17th December, 2007.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In a short ruling, Justice Fadipe upheld the prayers of the defence counsels that the defendants be allowed to continue on the bail granted them by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.
The judge adjourned the case till May 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27, 2025 for the commencement of trial.
