Mr. Ebun Sofunde SAN, on Wednesday withdrew from further representing the Chairman, Bi-Courtney Highway Services, Dr. Wale Babalakin, as the defence counsel in the charge preferred against him (Babalakin) at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.
Though, Sofunde had cited "personal reason" for his withdrawal, EFCC's counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said Sofunde withdrew from the case because Babalakin allegedly kept him in the dark over the suit he (Babalakin) had filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking to stop his arraignment at the state High Court.
Jacob referred to the letter he received from Sofunde to the effect of his withdrawal.
"We commend him (Sofunde) for his uprightness and integrity," the EFCC's prosecutor said.
Even with the immediate replacement of Sofunde with another counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the scheduled arraignment of Babalakin and others was stalled for the second time due to Babalakin's health reasons.
With Babalakin's absence from court, the rescheduled arraignment failed, even when his co-accused, Alex Okon, was present.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, advised the EFCC to raise "medical experts" for the verification of his (Babalakin's) medical fitness to stand for the arraignment, as the only way "to end this drama".
Wednesday's proceedings were characterised by accusations and counter-accusations over the appropriateness of the continued EFCC operatives' occupation of the premises of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where Babalakin had been admitted since November 28.
Jacob justified the continued occupation of the hospital premises by the EFCC operatives, saying it was to prevent Babalakin's from fleeing the country.
Jacobs alleged that Babalakin's continued stay on admission in the hospital was deliberate to frustrate the arraignment.
"My client (EFCC) had intelligence report that he (Babalakin) wants to leave the country. It is our duty not to allow him to escape from jurisdiction," he said.
Ayorinde and another lawyer, who was said to be Babalakin's surety, Abiodun Layonu (SAN), alleged that EFCC's "siege to the hospital" will continue to deteriorate Babalakin's health and subsequently the delay in the trial.
Layonu described allegations that Babalakin was planning to flee the country as "wild".
The matter was adjourned till January 17, 2013 for hearing of Babalakin's pending applications and "possible arraignment".
Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Idris, of the Federal High Court adjourned till today (Thursday) for the hearing of Babalakin's suit for prohibition against his arraignment by the EFCC.
EFCC had charged Babalakin, Okon and three other firms with 27 counts of allegedly laundering over N4.7bn for the convicted former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, in 2006.
