90-year old Man On N100m Fraud Trial Plans Self-exile

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

There was a mild drama at the  Igbosere Magistrate’s court when a 90-year old Pa Adeola Ajidahun involved in Lekki land fraud demanded for the release of his International passport seized by the police to enable him travel abroad to escape trial in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Pa Ajidahun grumbled in the open court and claimed that he was tired of standing for trial and wanted his passport to enable him to go on the purported self-exile.
However, his request was turned down by the police who informed him that he will get his passport after the conclusion of the trial.
The nonagenarian, who was disappointed and dejected, however got the litigants present in court amused by his demand.

An Ijero, Ekiti State-born Ajidahun and one Felix Olu Fadare. a Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Fullers Field Parish in Ajah area of Lagos, were arrested for their alleged involvement in a land fraud at the Lekki Land Re-settlement Schemes in Eti-Osa Local Government, Lagos.
They were charged before the court and were remanded in Ikoyi prisons but later released on bail to stand for trial.
Their trial followed a petition to the Police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, by a complainant, Kehinde Ola over the scam.
Pastor Fadare allegedly conspired with Ajidahun and defrauded Kehinde Ola to the tune of N30 million under the false pretence of selling some plots of land at the same re-settlement in Lagos.
During investigation, the police also discovered that the suspect had allegedly swindled many other victims and was allegedly using Pastor Fadare as estate agent to defraud victims.
Our correspondent also gathered that one Tony Okocha was also duped to the tune of N10 million in the scam.
The complainant was said to have paid N30 million to Ajidahun after he showed him some documents indicating that he acquired the land from the state government.
Trouble started when a family in the area challenged Ola’s ownership of the land and reclaimed the land from him after it was discovered the land did not belong to the suspects.
They pleaded not guilty.
Both Ajidahun and Fadare were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and N5 million with two sureties in like sum respectively.
They were remanded in prison custody at Ikoyi pending when they will perfect their bail condition.
The matter was initially before the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Awogboro and have suffered several adjournments before the last adjournment where Ajidahun demanded for his passport.
The matter was subsequently transferred to court three and adjourned till 25 October 2016 for definite trial.