The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed criminal charges brought against two former Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, and the branch’s former Treasurer, describing the case as a witch-hunt.

Hon. Justice M.A. Dada, in a ruling delivered on Monday, 23rd March, 2026 held that the allegations of conspiracy and stealing against the late Adesina Ogunlana, Yinka Farounbi and Mrs Derin Kapo were unproven and devoid of merit.

According to the court, the prosecution failed to establish any credible link between the defendants and the alleged offences.

The judge further held that the case, which stemmed from a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by certain NBA Ikeja members, was fundamentally flawed.

Justice Dada ruled that the petitioners lacked the legal capacity to initiate the complaint, noting that the funds in question belonged to the NBA Ikeja Branch, which had not reported any missing money.

The charges had arisen from a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by some members of the NBA Ikeja Branch, including Richard Nwakwo, Dan Okoye, Gabriel Opayinka and one Odebunmi.

The court also found that there was sufficient evidence showing that funds paid into Ogunlana’s account were used for official branch purposes.

The dismissal of the charges marks the end of a seven-year legal battle and is seen as a significant judicial pronouncement on the limits of privately-driven criminal petitions.