Court adjourns Gbajabiamila’s alleged N30m fraud case to Jan 21

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned the N30 million fraud case against 64-year-old Suleiman Gbajabiamila to January 21, 2025.

At the hearing yesterday before Justice Ismail Ijelu of Court 67, the case was postponed after the defendant’s counsel, Adedeji Onayida, informed the court that Gbajabiamila was ill and unable to attend proceedings.

However, a medical report presented to the court showed that the defendant was treated for malaria from Tuesday, November 19, to Friday, November 22 — a date after the hearing.

Dissatisfied with the explanation, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ahmad Usman, questioned the authenticity of the medical report and urged the court to revoke Gbajabiamila’s bail while imposing a N500,000 fine.

Justice Ijelu declined the EFCC’s request but adjourned the case.

Gbajabiamila was first arraigned in 2022 on a two-count charge of defrauding a United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Lateef Adeyemo, of N30 million. The funds were allegedly intended for the purchase of a two-bedroom apartment between September and October 2021.

According to the charge, Gbajabiamila had presented himself as an estate agent and converted the money for personal use.

He was initially arraigned before Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun on charges of stealing and false representation, offences under Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.

Since the case was transferred to the High Court, it has been adjourned six times, with various delays attributed to the defendant’s absence, lack of legal representation, and other procedural issues.

Gbajabiamila’s representation has also been inconsistent, with a previous lawyer, Afuye, withdrawing from the case after the defendant retrieved a N5 million payment draft presented during proceedings. At one point, Gbajabiamila opted to represent himself in court.

The court will now reconvene on January 21, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.