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By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & MICHAEL OLADEPO
IKEJA—There was a mild drama before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, yesterday, when a Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Babajide Jose, suddenly fell ill while given evidence on how he was allegedly swindled of N35.5 million by Deji Abiola, son of the late politician, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who was to supply him (Jose) printing machine.
Ajose, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s witness, had concluded telling the court how Abiola collected the money from him but failed to deliver the machine, when he fell ill.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, was forced to adjourn the matter after Jose was visibly shaking inside the witness box, while he was expected to answer questions under cross-examination from Abiola’s counsel, Mr. Jimoh Lasisi, SAN, on how Abiola allegedly swindled his company, Nurudeen Printers Limited, Okota, Lagos.
The witness said some time in March 2008, his company decided to buy a used Speed Master CD105 printing machine and was introduced to Abiola.
Though, he said there were efforts to settle the matter out of court since Abiola’s arraignment last June 30, he added.
The witness told the court that “The accused told us that he had it and can get it for us and that the machine was in Switzerland. On May 10, 2008, he sent me an estimate of the machine that it will cost N118 million. The accused said that we will deposit 30 per cent of the money to show seriousness.
The witness told the court that “The accused told us that he had it and can get it for us and that the machine was in Switzerland. On May 10, 2008, he sent me an estimate of the machine that it will cost N118 million. The accused said that we will deposit 30 per cent of the money to show seriousness.
“Fifty per cent will be paid after inspection while the remaining balance of 20 per cent will be paid before the machine is dismantled for shipping to Nigeria.”
He told the court that he was persuaded to go for the business after Abiola promised to help him secure a visa to Switzerland for the inspection of the machine.
He said on May 16, 2008, he issued a First Bank cheque of N35.5 million to Abiola, being the 30 per cent deposit he requested for.
He said:” After paying the money, I did not hear from him again for weeks and when I finally did, he told me that the machine was no longer in Switzerland but in Sweden. Deji wrote me a letter that the machine is going to cost us more money and requested for another 30 per cent deposit, which I refused.”
The witness said:” After going to EFCC, the Oba of Lagos called a meeting between my daughter and his brother, where he advised us to settle the matter amicably.”
On plan to settle, Jose said: “We told him to pay us N20 million and take N15 million but nothing happened after that.”
