Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala adjourned the matter after the arraignment could not proceed because the first defendant, Austin Albert was absent from court.
The case had initially come up on June 7, when the court fixed July 23 for the defendants to take their plea. At the time, defence counsel, Abdulhakeem Adio, informed the court that the amended charge had only recently been served on him and that Austin Albert was outside the country. The court subsequently directed counsel to ensure his client’s attendance at the next hearing.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, G.T. Nev, appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Abdulhakeem Adio represented the defendants. Ogechi Abu of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), leading other counsel, alongside Oluniyi Adeniyi of J-K Gadzama LLP, appeared for the nominal complainant.
The prosecution informed the court that an amended five-count charge dated July 13, 2026, had been filed pursuant to Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and stated that the matter was scheduled for the defendants to enter their plea.
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Although the defence initially raised an objection to the amended charge, the objection was withdrawn following discussions in court.
Explaining Austin Albert’s absence, defence counsel told the court that his client, Austin Albert was undergoing major surgery in Dubai and apologised on his behalf. He also informed the court that efforts were being made to resolve the dispute amicably.
The prosecution, however, told the court that no medical report had been presented to support the claim that the first defendant, Austin Albert was undergoing surgery and added that it was unaware of any ongoing settlement discussions.
Following submissions by both parties, Justice Kala adjourned the matter until October 5, 2026, for the defendants’ arraignment.
The amended charge, marked FHC/LAG/CR/388/2026, was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to the charge, the defendants are alleged to have, on March 6, 2026, conspired to transfer and convert N460.75 million belonging to Premiere Immigration and Advisory Limited from the company’s Globus Bank account into the account of New Power Energy and Logistics Services without the consent or authority of the company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, who is also a signatory to the account.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants procured, forged and used the CEO’s signature to prepare a mandate that facilitated the transfer of the funds.
Albert is also accused of allegedly threatening the complainant in February 2026 in an attempt to compel her to relinquish part or all of her ownership interest in Premiere Immigration and Advisory Limited. The prosecution further alleged that he contacted some of the complainant’s friends and business associates in connection with the dispute.
The defendants have not yet taken their plea, and the allegations remain allegations pending the determination of the case by the court.
