Chief Emefo Etudo Takes Over As New Defence Counsel
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Chief Etudo Emefo has taken over as defence counsel involving about 98 Chinese who were arraigned before various judges at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
When suit number FHC/L/62C/25 involving Lin Hao Bo & Anor came up before Justice C.J. Aneke on Thursday, Chief Etudo announced his presence as the new lawyer for the defendants.
However, EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, B.A. Omateno, disagreed with the manner Chief Etudo announced the takeover of the cases orally.
Consequently, Justice Aneke told Etudo to do the needful.
It would be recalled that the EFCC had arraigned 32 Chinese for cybercrime and money laundering before Justice Aneke including Lin Hao Bo & Anor.
When the matter came up today, Chief Etudo announced that he had taken over as defence counsel but the judge said he should have notified the court and prosecutors formally in writing and called him to do so.
But Omateno told the judge that the case was one of many in which the defendants had entered for pleabargain.
Etudo, however, said his clients were ready for full trial as the EFCC had no “iota of evidence “against Bo & Anor.
Meanwhile, Justice Aneke adjourned the matter to June 20, 2025.
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