A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Tuesday, adjourned the continuation of the trial of a certain Nigerian-based Indian businessman, Patrick Fernandez, who was alleged to have committed fraud against various commercial banks in Nigeria to the tune of about N32 billion.

The case, which was initially adjourned on October 27 and slated for trial on December 15, was hindered due to the absence of the Judge, Justice John Tsoho, who was said to be on an official assignment elsewhere. However, a new date, February 2, 2016 was fixed for the trial.

The court had granted an adjournment to Fernandez who was charged alongside his companies on 56 counts bordering on fraud, but noted that as a criminal trial, it ought to be dealt with expeditiously.

The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 314 of the Criminal Code Laws of the Federation 2004.

A prosecution witness, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, during examination, had narrated how huge sums of money were discovered in the account of the accused in various banks.

Speaking in court, Adebayo noted that when the banks were interviewed; they informed the EFCC that the accused had applied for a cheque discounting facility.

“During interviews with the banks, we were informed by officials that the huge amount was related to loans granted to the accused.”

When asked whether the EFCC had authority to question bank loans, the prosecution witness was reported as saying that the commission could demand for documents in relation to any account, where reasonable suspicion of fraud exists.