The Federal High Court, Lagos, has vacated the summons earlier issued against a former employee of Brila Broadcasting Services Limited, Babafemi Raji, popularly known as “Topmost Striker,” in an alleged N100 million fraud case instituted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu.
Despite setting aside the summons, the court ordered that Raji be tried in absentia following his continued failure to appear for arraignment.
Raji is standing trial alongside two other former staff of the company, Akakan Sam and Blessing Ekerete. While the matter came up for arraignment on Tuesday, only the two co-defendants were present in court.
At an earlier sitting in November 2025, the court had directed that all defendants be tried in absentia due to their non-appearance. However, the two co-defendants later showed up in court, leaving Raji as the only absentee.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Raji drew the court’s attention to a pending application seeking to vacate the criminal summons issued against his client.
In response, the prosecution informed the court that it had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application on several grounds.
Arguing the application, defence counsel maintained that Raji had travelled to the United Kingdom before the charge was filed, citing deteriorating health as the reason for his departure.
He added that medical reports from hospitals in the UK were attached to the application to substantiate the claim.
The prosecution, however, challenged the assertion, stating that it had credible information contradicting the defendant’s claims. It urged the court to proceed with trial in absentia if the application was granted.
In a bench ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, granted the application to vacate the summons but held that Raji would be tried in absentia.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until May 6, 2026, for definite hearing.
In the charge marked FHC/L/530/2025, the defendants are facing counts bordering on conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.
In addition, a separate count against Raji alleges 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 put him in fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 24(2)(3)(a & b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended) 2024.
