News, Politics

Dimeji Bankole In Big Trouble

This is indeed not the best of times for Honourable Dimeji Sabur Bankole, the former Speaker of the House Representatives as a Legal firm  MJS Partners which represented him during his travails with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dragged him before an Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo Abeokuta for failure to pay for the legal services incurred .

 

Representing the Firm, Dr Yemi Oke who is the Managing Partner in a Suit No: AB/153/2013 alleged that the former Speaker Dimeji Bankole failed to pay for the legal service amounting to Seventy Million Naira (N70m) but was subsequently reduced to Six Million Naira (N6m) based on agreement between the firm and Bankole.

The Claimant had through its Counsel, Dr Yemi Oke argued before Justice M. A Dipeolu that the defendant filed the suit sometimes in 2013 and claimed against the defendant the sum of Seventy Million Naira as professional fees for the services rendered among other things.

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The Counsel also argued that the Defendant also later amended its writ of summons and reduced the charges to Six Million Naira (N6m) after reaching agreement with the Defendant.

Dr Oke said since 2013 when the case had been filed, and its subsequent ruling by the court, the former Speaker had not been able to obey the court order.

He said rather the Defendant had approached the Appeal court in Ibadan and with the appellate court ruling that the matter be heard on its merit.

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Oke argued that the firm was contacted when the Claimant was arrested by the EFCC, a deal was struck and total sum of N70million was agreed and the legal team went to action by securing his bail from the EFCC custody.

He said after his release, the team laid the foundation for his defence at the law court and throughout the fire works, the law firm was able to get only N3million as transport and hotel accommodation.

The Defendant counsel, Barr Abiodun Aboaba asked for a short adjournment in order for him to properly study the case and file necessary response to issues raised by the Claimant counsel.

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He argued that the applications submitted by the Claimant was just received at the court premise and he needs seven days to respond in accordance to court proceeding,

While requesting for a short adjournment, Justice Dipeolu warned that the court may not be ready to entertain any delay from the counsel.

The Court thereafter adjourned the case to 17th October for the Defendant to file its response.

– Wale Adewunmi, Ogun State Correspondent