N460.75m Alleged Forgery: Court Adjourns Case as Austin Albert Misses Arraignment, Cites Dubai Surgery Without Medical Proof
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned until October 5 the arraignment of Lagos-based businessman Austin Albert and another defendant in an alleged N460.75 million forgery and money laundering case after Albert failed to appear in court, with his lawyer attributing his absence to surgery in Dubai but presenting no medical evidence.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the arraignment of Lagos businessman Austin Albert and another defendant in an alleged N460.75 million forgery and money laundering case to October 5, 2026, following Albert's absence from court.
The case, Inspector-General of Police v. Austin Albert & 2 Others, is before Justice I. A. Kala of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Judicial Division, with G. T. Nev, Esq., of the Directorate of Legal Services leading the prosecution.
The charges stem from the alleged transfer of N460,750,000 from the account of The Premiere Immigration and Advisory Limited, a Lagos-based company jointly owned by Dr. Jane Kimemia, a Kenyan-born financial services expert, and Austin Albert, a Nigerian businessman said to be associated with Dubai-based Loft & Keys Properties LLC.
According to the prosecution, the money was allegedly transferred on March 6, 2026, from the company's Globus Bank account to an account belonging to New Power Energy and Logistics Services without Dr. Kimemia's knowledge or consent.
Police allege that Albert and the company's Head of Finance, Jinadu Musbau Olalekan, conspired to authorize the transfer by forging Dr. Kimemia's signature. The charges were brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and the Criminal Code Act.
A third defendant, Ugumanim Okputu Joana Agwu, who initially faced a separate assault-related charge, was removed from the amended charge after the prosecution acknowledged that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear that count alongside the financial offences.
At the resumed hearing, Albert was absent from court. His counsel, Malam Abdul-Hakeem Adio, informed the court that his client had undergone surgery in Dubai. However, no medical report or supporting documentation was tendered to substantiate the claim.
The prosecution challenged the explanation, noting that at the previous hearing the defence had merely stated that Albert was outside Nigeria, without mentioning any medical condition. The sudden claim of surgery, counsel argued, was unsupported by any documentary evidence.
Despite the prosecution's objection, Justice Kala adjourned the matter to October 5 in the interest of fairness, allowing the defendants to be formally arraigned.
The proceedings were observed by a delegation from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, led by Barr. Ogechi Abu, alongside Phil Nneji, Chioma Porom, and Kemi Ogunnaike.
Speaking after the proceedings, Abu said FIDA attended the hearing to monitor the case, noting that the nominal complainant is a woman and that safeguarding women's rights aligns with the organization's mandate.
She also observed that the prosecution amended the charge during the proceedings and highlighted the inconsistency in the explanation for Albert's absence, noting that no health concerns were raised at the previous adjourned date and that no medical report was presented to support the latest claim of surgery.
Abu, however, commended the court for granting an adjournment in the interest of justice.
Counsel to the first defendant, Adio, questioned FIDA's interest in the case, arguing that the allegations relate to forgery and not violence against women.
He also maintained that the defence had intended to file medical documents but had instead concentrated on ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute amicably before the hearing.
Describing the prosecution as an overreach, Adio argued that the matter arose from a business disagreement between partners over the management of their company rather than criminal conduct. He disclosed that settlement discussions were ongoing and expressed optimism that the parties might reach an agreement before the next court date.
The amended charge now names only Austin Albert and Jinadu Musbau Olalekan as defendants.
Disclaimer:
The allegations contained in the charge remain before the court. None of the defendants has been convicted of any offence, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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