Federal High Court Dismisses Bid to Halt N1.9 Billion MTN Airtime Fraud Trial
Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has dismissed an application filed by two defendants, Timothy Fashina Oluwabukola and Anthony Imonina Odemerho, seeking to stop their prosecution in connection with an alleged N1.9 billion MTN airtime fraud.
The defendants had argued that the prosecutor, DCP Emmanuel Jackson, lacked authority to continue the case following his retirement. However, the court upheld the prosecution’s position that the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, was legally empowered to authorize Jackson’s continued involvement.
The ruling clears the way for the continuation of trial on charges of conspiracy, cybercrime, unauthorized access to MTN’s computer systems, manipulation of authorization codes, and money laundering under the Cybercrime Act and the Money Laundering Act.
The matter has been adjourned to September 29, 2026 for further hearing, with the defendants maintaining their plea of not guilty.
