By Victoria Tokolo
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday adjourned the trial of businessman Michael Abiodun Ponle and Origin Oil and Gas Limited to allow parties explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) following a request for family mediation.
Justice Ismail Ijelu fixed April 13, 2026, for further proceedings after all parties agreed that efforts be made to amicably resolve the dispute underlying the criminal charges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, M.S. Owede, informed the court that the anti-graft agency had filed a three-count charge bordering on fraud, forgery, and possession of false documents against the defendants and was ready to proceed with the case.
Ponle, the first defendant, was represented by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, while Victor Okpara, SAN, appeared for Origin Oil and Gas Limited, the second defendant.
However, Okpara urged the court to grant an adjournment, arguing that the EFCC failed to comply with Section 252(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which mandates that a corporate defendant must be served at least three days before arraignment to allow room for any necessary appeals. He further appealed to the court to permit mediation before the next adjourned date.
Ojo aligned himself with the request, informing the court that the nominal complainant in the matter, who was also Ponle’s father, passed away on December 14, 2025. He expressed optimism that the issues in dispute were essentially family-related and could be resolved amicably through ADR.
The EFCC prosecutor did not oppose the requests made by defence counsel.
The charges relate to transactions that allegedly occurred in 2012 in Lagos. According to the EFCC, Ponle and Origin Oil and Gas Limited are accused of obtaining a $20 million credit facility from Union Bank of Nigeria Plc by falsely presenting a “Legal Mortgage of Account of a Third Party” purportedly executed between Miccom Cables & Wires Limited and the bank as valid security.
The defendants are also alleged to have knowingly possessed the same document containing false pretences with intent to defraud the bank. In addition, they are accused of forging a document dated September 18, 2012, in respect of a property located at Plot 19, Zone E, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, to obtain funds from the bank.
Following the concurrence of all counsel on the need to explore ADR, Justice Ijelu adjourned the matter to April 13, 2026, for a report on the outcome of the mediation efforts.
