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Former Nigerian Bar Association Member Arraigned for Allegedly Defrauding Landmark University of N19.3m


The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against lawyer Temidayo Eseyin on Wednesday, accusing him of defrauding Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, of approximately N19.3 million. Eseyin, a former member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association in Ilorin, appeared before Justice Funsho Lawal at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, facing four counts related to dishonest misappropriation of funds belonging to the university.

According to the EFCC’s petition, Eseyin, while serving as counsel for the university, had access to its assets, title documents, and funds, and was allegedly involved in cheating, defrauding, misappropriation, and shortchanging his client.

One particular instance of misconduct alleged against him was his management of the Old Midland Building, located along Emir’s/Obbo Road in Ilorin, which belonged to Landmark University. During the period between 2014 and 2022, Eseyin collected rent for the property but failed to account for the funds when questioned.

The petitioner further accused Eseyin of attempting to sell the property without authorization from the university, prompting the anti-graft agency to intervene and launch an investigation. The charges filed against Eseyin indicated that he dishonestly misappropriated N6,064,000, representing rent payment for the Old Midland Building belonging to Landmark University, thereby contravening Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, an offense punishable under Section 309 of the same law.

During the arraignment, Eseyin pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. Following his plea, Rashidat Alao, counsel for the EFCC, requested the court to set a trial date and urged for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre until the trial commences. However, Femi Makinde, Eseyin’s lawyer, submitted a bail application on behalf of his client, seeking his release pending trial.

After considering the bail application, Justice Lawal granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, requiring two sureties to provide a total sum of N5 million each. The sureties must possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. While adjourning the case to a later date to be communicated, the judge ordered that Eseyin should remain in the custody of the EFCC until the bail conditions are fulfilled.

In a telephone conversation, an official from the Media and Publicity Unit of the EFCC in Ilorin, speaking on behalf of agency spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that the additional charges against Eseyin accounted for the total amount of N19.3 million.
1 year ago
Adeyinka Arutu

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