By joshua 
Alleged Money Laundering: Court Adjourns Hearing To Feb 11
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, 2026, hearing in the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Inspector General of Police against Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, Akpes Omorodion and Esther Eguomo Oisamoje.
The adjournment was granted to enable the second and third defendants, Akpes Omorodion and Esther Eguomo Oisamoje, appear before the court, as well as to allow the prosecution to serve the amended charge on Dele Igbinedion, counsel to the first defendant, Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen.
The amended charge, marked FHC/B/5c/2024, was presented by the prosecutor, P. O. Odion.
When the matter came up for hearing at Wednesday’s sitting, none of the three defendants was present in court. Counsel to the first defendant, Dele Igbinedion, queried why proceedings should continue in the absence of all the defendants
In response, the prosecutor argued that counsel to the first defendant had no moral or legal right to make observations, having failed to address the court on the absence of his client, who was expected to be in attendance.
The prosecutor further informed the court that the amended charge sought to strike out the second and third defendants from the suit and proceed solely against the first defendant.
Those present in court included the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Idemudia Osifo, who appeared alongside Douglas Ogbankua and Ann Okundaye, holding brief for the nominal complainant, Mr. Omoruyi Oloton.
Ogbankua told newsmen that the nominal complainant is committed to ensuring that justice is done on the matter.
Counsel to Jessica, Dele said that he will ensure the innocence of Jessica is protected