A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday vacated a summons issued against a former employee of Brila Broadcasting Services Limited Babafemi Raji in a fraud case filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and ordered that he be tried in absentia.
Mr Raji, also known as Topmost Striker, is accused in a N100 million fraud case.
He failed to appear in court on November 7, 2025, December 4, 2025 and January 30. He was also absent on Tuesday.
At an earlier sitting in November 2025, the court directed that all defendants be tried in absentia due to their absence.
Two co-defendants later appeared in court, leaving Raji as the only absentee.
Raji is standing trial with Akakan Sam and Blessing Ekerete. Both were present in court on Tuesday.
During proceedings, Raji’s counsel informed the court of an application seeking to vacate the summons issued against him.
The prosecution said it had filed a response opposing the application.
Defence counsel said Raji travelled out of the country before the charge was filed and cited health reasons. He said medical reports were attached to support the claim.
The prosecution disputed the claim and asked the court to proceed with trial in absentia. It said it had information that the defendant was not willing to stand trial.
In a ruling, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the application to vacate the summons but ordered that Raji be tried in absentia.
The court adjourned the case to May 6 for hearing.
In the charge marked FHC/L/530/2025, the defendants face counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering.
A separate charge against Babafemi Raji alleges that he used social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X, to threaten and harass Larry Izamoje.
