No More Unnecessary Delays, Warns Judge In The Alleged N100m Fraud Trial of Three Ex-Brila FM Staff, Adjourns Case To March 17

Court

By JUMOKE SANNI

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court Lagos has warned that he would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays in the alleged fraud trial of three former employees of Sports Radio, Brila FM, Babafemi Raji, Akakan Victor Mkpong Sam and Blessing Sunday Ekerete. He, thereafter, adjourned to March 17, 2026 for trial.

The accused—Babafemi Raji, popularly known as Topmost Striker, Akakan Victor Mkpong Sam, and Blessing Sunday Ekerete—are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun for allegedly defrauding Brila Broadcasting Services Limited of N100 million.

In the charge marked FHC/L/530/2025, counts one to four accuse the three defendants of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.

The fifth count, which specifically concerns Raji, alleges that he used various social media platforms—including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)—to bully, threaten, and harass Brila FM founder Dr. Larry Izamoje.

The charge reads in part:

“That you, BABAFEMI RAJI ‘M’, sometime in 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly or intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of messages via the internet… with which you bullied, threatened or harassed DR. LARRY IZAMOJE ‘M’, thereby putting him in fear of death, violence or bodily harm… contrary to and punishable under Section 24(2)(3)(a & b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended) 2024.”

The trial, which came up before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, was again adjourned following the repeated failure of the defendants to appear in court. The counsel of one of the accused, Babafemi Raji, at first, tendered a medical report. Next hearing, he submitted that he was still sick but failed to show any medical report, causing the court to issue a writ of summons. Today, they said they have filed an objection to the writ, with the prosecution saying he will file an objection.