The Federal High Court in Lagos has again moved to April 2 the case of Kayode Philip, and a Lebanese, Hamza Koudeih, who are on trial for alleged cyber fraud and laundering $7.06 million, £1 million and €80,000.
Mr Koudeih is said to be an associate of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, who is also facing trial for alleged N32.9 billion fraud.
Justice Muslim Hassan told representatives of Philip and Koudeih that the case could not be heard on Monday because he was awaiting the outcome of the proposed transfer of judges.
It is believed that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had ordered judges of the court not to open trial in new cases pending the outcome of the planned transfer of judges.
Justice Hassan consequently adjourned Philip and Koudeih’s case till April 2 for mention.
The defendants were arraigned in November last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were accused of attempting to retain the sums of $6 million and £1 million in the Bank of China.
The EFCC said they also “knowingly engaged in computer phishing and spamming which resulted in acquiring sensitive information” from various emails.
The court heard that the defendants were found with various spamming tools.
The alleged offences, EFCC says, contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2015; as well as Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
