The trial of Jimoh Yisawu, former managing director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, over alleged N1.339 billion money
The trial of Jimoh Yisawu, former managing director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, over alleged N1.339 billion money laundering has been adjourned until January 2027, following the inability of the Federal High Court in Abuja to proceed with the case amid pre-election matters.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed January 18, 19 and 20, 2027, for the commencement of trial after proceedings could not begin on Monday.
The adjournment also comes amid courtroom renovations, which have forced the judge to share a courtroom with Justice Chigozie Onah of Court 15.
Yisawu is facing an eight-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering offences linked to his tenure at the Warri refinery and previous service with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
He pleaded not guilty to all eight counts when he was arraigned before Justice Ekwo on July 20.
Following his plea, Ekele Iheanacho, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to the EFCC, requested a trial date, while Wale Balogun, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and defence counsel, sought the court’s permission to move the defendant’s bail application.
The prosecution opposed the application, but Justice Ekwo granted bail, holding that the alleged offences were bailable.
The court admitted Yisawu to bail in the sum of N500 million, with one surety in like sum.
The judge directed that the surety must be a responsible citizen who owns landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. The property documents are subject to verification.
Yisawu was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the court and barred from travelling outside its jurisdiction without permission.
The case had earlier been scheduled for trial on October 25, 26 and 27.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/361/2026, dated and filed on June 22 by Iheanacho, the EFCC alleged that Yisawu laundered public funds and used part of the proceeds to purchase treasury bills for himself.
The commission said the alleged offence contravened Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and was punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
The delay in Yisawu’s trial comes as a related prosecution involving Ahmed Dikko, former managing director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, also awaits trial.
Justice Ekwo adjourned Dikko’s case from October 14 to November 24 and 25.
Dikko was arraigned on July 8 alongside Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited over alleged money laundering. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The court admitted Dikko to bail in the sum of N50 million, with one surety in like sum.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026, the EFCC named Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited as the first and second defendants, respectively.
The commission alleged, among other offences, that Dikko used N218 million to purchase property in Abuja.
The prosecution said the alleged offences contravened Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and were punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.
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