Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Friday warned that he would no longer tolerate unnecessary delays in the trial of three former employees of Brila FM over alleged fraud.
The defendants are Babafemi Raji, popularly known as Topmost Striker, Akakan Victor Mkpong Sam and Blessing Sunday Ekerete. They are being prosecuted by the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun over allegations of defrauding Brila Broadcasting Services Limited of N100 million.
In the charge marked FHC/L/530/2025, counts 1 to 4 accuse the defendants of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.
A fifth count relates specifically to Raji. It alleges that he used social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X to bully, threaten and harass Brila FM founder 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 case has suffered repeated adjournments due to the defendants’ absence from court. At an earlier sitting, counsel to Raji tendered a medical report to explain his client’s absence. At the next hearing, the counsel said Raji was still ill but failed to present any medical report, prompting the court to issue a writ of summons.
At Friday’s sitting, the defence informed the court that it had filed an objection to the writ. The prosecution responded that it would also file an objection.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa said the court would not allow the trial to be delayed unnecessarily and fixed March 17 for the continuation of proceedings.
