N100m fraud: Trial of ex-Brila FM staff begins October 21

By Lukman Olabiyi

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed October 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial in the alleged N100 million fraud case involving three former employees of Brila Broadcasting Services Limited.

The defendants are Babafemi Raji, popularly known as Topmost Striker; Akakan Victor Mkpong Sam; and Blessing Sunday Ekerete.

The trial, earlier scheduled to commence on July 13, 2026, could not proceed due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.

The matter was consequently adjourned until October 21 for definite hearing.

The case follows an earlier ruling in which the court vacated the criminal summons issued against Raji but ordered that he be tried in absentia following his continued failure to appear for arraignment.

At the previous sitting, only the two co-defendants were present in court, while Raji remained absent.

His counsel informed the court that he travelled to the United Kingdom before the charge was filed due to deteriorating health and tendered medical reports from hospitals in the UK in support of the claim.

The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that it possessed credible information contradicting the defendant’s claims and urged the court to allow the trial to proceed in his absence.

In a bench ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the application to set aside the criminal summons but held that Raji would stand trial in absentia.

In the charge marked FHC/L/530/2025, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, the three defendants are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, fraud and money laundering over the alleged N100 million fraud.

Raji is also facing a separate count alleging that he used social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), to bully, threaten and harass the founder of Brila FM, Dr Larry Izamoje, in a manner that allegedly placed him in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravenes Section 24(2)(3)(a) and (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.