The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 63-year-old Suleiman Gbajabiamila for allegedly defrauding a United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Lateef Adeyemo, of N30 million.
Gbajabiamila was first arraigned on June 20, 2022, before Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and false presentation, an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
The prosecutor alleged that Gbajabiamila, who presented himself as an estate agent in 2021 fraudulently converted to his use, the money meant to purchase a 2-bedroom flat for Adeyemo between September and October 2021.
The police in charge of the case alleged that the victim paid N150,000 for the culprit to be tracked; however, Gbajabiamila could not be tracked as he was offline.
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He was tracked on September 20, 2022, when his phone was turned on. According to the police, he overspent during the period.
What transpired
In October 2022, Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun ordered that Gbajabiamila be detained in the Ikoyi Correctional centre till January 2023; however, he was released on December 24, 2022.
When the case resumed yesterday, the court granted the defendant’s counsel’s plea for an adjournment to enable the parties to resolve the case.
While accounting to The Guardian, Gbajabiamila said he had made some bad investment with the money but was willing to repay instalmentally to Adeyemo.
After the Court proceedings, the EFCC ordered Gbajabiamila out of the vehicle he had already boarded and whisked him away in a waiting car.
The victim accused Gbajabiamila of playing pranks to evade justice. He said: “According to the last court pronouncement, he was supposed to be out of prison today (yesterday) for the hearing but was released in December 2022. He has been using the name and influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.”
Stella Adeniyi