Lagos — An Ikeja High Court judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, has adjourned till November 1st hearing in a motion on jurisdiction of the court to continue adjudicating in an ongoing trial involving three accused persons over their alleged involvement in a $242 million Advance Fee Fraud a.k.a. 419 scam.

The motion on notice, filed by Chief Alex Izinyon, (SAN) on behalf of Chief Emmanuel Nwude (1st accused person), had claimed that the court had no jurisdiction to handle the trial, and had sought six reliefs of court in the matter.

Nwude had prayed the court to protect his property listed on page 727 of the proof of evidence, which he claimed may be lost if he is found guilty in the trial.The said property are allegedly scattered over four states namely; Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, and Rivers, including several vehicles.

In an affidavit in support of the motion, filed by one Bello Kasim, it was alleged that Nwude stood the risk of losing the above-mentioned property unless the application was taken before trial continues.

Accused persons, Mrs. Amaka Anajemba, Nwude, and Mr. Nzeribe Edeh Okoli, are facing a de novo (fresh) trial, which began on October 5, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), follows an Abuja High Court dismissal of the former 86 count charge brought against the accused persons in July, allegedly for lack of jurisdiction since the offences were committed within Lagos jurisdiction.

Accused persons had been re-arraigned in Lagos on Friday, July 23rd, and hearing in the matter had taken place up till Thursday, August 19th, when the presiding judge had adjourned trial in the matter till today and next two days, after he (in a forty-five minute ruling) had refused and dismissed bail applications filed by the three accused persons.