The EFCC announced in court on Thursday that Cletus Ibeto, the Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company, has returned the sum of N2.250 billion to the Commission, as confirmed to Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, as per Channels Television.
In the ongoing trial of Cletus Ibeto and his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd., the EFCC's lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), stated that Ibeto has returned N2.250 billion. The EFCC had brought a 10-count charge against Ibeto and his companies, alleging conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and fraudulent use of documents, totaling N4.8 billion.
The defendant's arraignment has been delayed seven times because he failed to show up in court, despite his legal representatives being present on his behalf.
Today in court, Rotimi Jacobs revealed that the EFCC is facing a dilemma due to the defendant's refusal to appear in court, instead opting to visit the EFCC office to discuss a settlement for his outstanding debt, effectively bypassing the legal proceedings.
In essence, the defendant is avoiding court appearances but engaging with the EFCC directly to negotiate a settlement, putting the agency in a difficult position.
Jacobs said, “We need to know what their plans are. Are they planning to continue with the litigation, or do they want to sit with the prosecution and complainant to negotiate an out-of-court settlement?