by Rachel Ogbu

Chairman of the Bi-Courtney Highway Services, Wale Babalakin returns to court to today, February 25, for allegedly transferring about N4.7 billion on behalf of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

Babalakin reappears in court after Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, granted him and his co-accused, Alex Okoh bail on self-recognition after their indictment on January 17.

According to reports, the case presided over by Onigbanjo at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, will today hear the various pending applications filed by the five defence lawyers before the matter can proceed to trial.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said that Babalakin and his two firms, Stabilini Visioni Limited and Bi-Courtney Ltd, illegally convened benefit on Ibori.

But Babalakin and his firms including Renix Nigeria Limited had pleaded not guilty to all the 27 counts against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

His defence lawyer is now seeking the court to drop the charges.

Babalakin’s counsel, Wale Akoni and other defence lawyers are confronting the competence of the charges and urging Onigbanjo drop them.

Between May and December 2006, the EFCC alleged that the five accused transfer N4.7bn illegally on Ibori’s behalf to purchase a Challenger Jet aircraft from Erin Aviation in Mauritius.