The Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief Cletus Ibeto CON, Justice I.O. Ijelu has transferred the case to the Lagos State Attorney General for reassignment. The decision to hand over the proceedings is rooted in the court’s acknowledgment of lacking jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The Lagos State Attorney General will now take charge of the prosecution following a letter from the Lagos Attorney General expressing a willingness to handle the case.
The transfer was initiated by a petition submitted by Chief Roberte Clark, SAN, the legal representative for Chief Cletus Ibeto, to the Attorney General of Lagos State. The case originated with a petition filed by Sir Daniel Chukwudozie with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to charges against Chief Cletus Ibeto and his companies in the Lagos High Court Ikeja.
These charges are alleged to have arisen from a failed business transaction between Chief Cletus Ibeto and Sir Daniel Chukwudozie at the Reclamation Road Layout in Bundu Amo Community, Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State.
In an attempt to resolve the dispute, both parties voluntarily appeared before the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No. PHC/15S/CS/2022. The court in Port Harcourt ruled in favor of Ibeto Energy Development Ltd, declaring them the rightful owner of the contested land along the Reclamation Road Layout in Bundu Ama communities, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State. Dissatisfied with this decision, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie and his companies have lodged appeals, while Chief Ibeto has filed a Cross-Appeal challenging a specific aspect of the judgment, and these matters are currently pending at the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division.
Despite the ongoing appeals process, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie filed a petition with the EFCC in Lagos, resulting in the charges brought against Chief Ibeto in Charge No. ID/2149/23. The case, scheduled to be heard before Honorable Justice I.O. Ijelu at the Ikeja High Court, has now been transferred to the Lagos State Attorney General.
This transfer marks a significant milestone in the legal proceedings, addressing jurisdictional concerns. The Lagos State Attorney General is poised to take over the prosecution based on the petition presented by Chief Robert Clark, SAN, the counsel to Chief Cletus Ibeto, as the case navigates through its complex legal journey.
