Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Dr. Daphne Dafinone, a board member of the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), to appear before the court on May 5, 2025, to take her plea in an alleged N100 million fraud case filed against her and her company by the police.
The court issued this order after dismissing a preliminary objection filed by her lawyer, Mr. Fidel Albert, challenging the validity of the charges and the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
Dr. Dafinone and her company, CEDDI Corporation Limited, are facing charges under case number FHC/C/661C/24.
The charges stem from a petition by Prince Lukman Adeleke, a property developer, who alleged that between April and December 2019, Dr. Dafinone and others conspired to defraud him of N100 million.
According to the petition, Adeleke’s company, Lukman Communications Limited, was in negotiations with CEDDI Corporation Limited for the purchase of a property at 93 Broad Street, Lagos Island.
Despite receiving N100 million as part of the deal, Dr. Dafinone allegedly sold the property to another buyer, Mrs. Ganiyat Ulom.
When Adeleke discovered the sale, he instructed his solicitors to issue a memorandum of claim to CEDDI Corporation Limited and Mrs. Ulom.
However, both parties allegedly ignored the notice, prompting Adeleke to file a lawsuit in the Lagos State High Court.
At a previous court session, Dr. Dafinone’s then-lawyer, Dapo Akinosun (SAN), informed the court that she was in London receiving medical treatment.
He assured the court that she would return to Nigeria on January 28, 2025, and be available for arraignment.
However, at the resumed hearing, Mr. Fidel Albert announced his appearance as the new defence counsel.
The prosecution, represented by Superintendent of Police (SP) Anthony Iyeye, requested the court to issue a bench warrant for Dr. Dafinone’s arrest due to her absence.
In response, Albert informed the court that he had filed an application challenging the competence of the charge and the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Kala allowed arguments on the submissions but ultimately ruled that Dr. Dafinone must appear in court before any application could be entertained.
Citing Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the judge dismissed the preliminary objection and adjourned the case to May 5, 2025, emphasizing that Dr. Dafinone must be present for her arraignment.
