A Nigerian couple, Mr. Adetunji Conde and Mrs. Ajoke Amudat Conde, are facing criminal prosecution for alleged misappropriation and breach of trust.
However, they claim that these allegations are false and have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, citing unlawful criminalisation, malicious prosecution, and abuse of police power.
“Despite this matter being purely a civil contractual dispute, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, Tobi Bolarin, and Gbenga Ekundayo have manipulated law enforcement, used threats, and weaponised the police to intimidate and oppress Mr. Adetunji Conde and his wife, Mrs. Ajoke Amudat Conde,” the petition noted.
According to the petition, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello invested N100 million into the couple’s company, Elizabeth and Esther Nig Ltd., through Tobi Bolarin and Gbenga Ekundayo. The petition states that the investment was made with clear contractual agreements, which the couple claims they have not breached.
The couple’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), argues that the criminal prosecution is an act of impunity, as contractual disputes cannot be criminalised, according to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“The use of state resources for private vendettas undermines public trust in law enforcement and must be sanctioned,” Falana & Falana’s Chambers stated.
Falana also alleges that Justice Mabel Segun Bello has manipulated law enforcement and used threats to intimidate and oppress the couple.
“Rather than seeking legal redress through appropriate civil channels to resolve any contractual claims, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, Tobi Bolarin, and Gbenga Ekundayo have resorted to using the police as an instrument of coercion and oppression,” the petition noted.
The petition further stated that Mrs. Ajoke Amudat Conde was unlawfully arrested, detained, and charged, despite having no connection to the transaction.
“Mrs. Ajoke Amudat Conde, who is not a party to the contract, was unlawfully arrested, detained, and charged, constituting a clear violation of her constitutional rights,” it said.
The couple are demanding the immediate discharge of Mrs. Conde and the withdrawal of the criminal charges against Mr. Conde, citing that the case is purely civil and should be treated as such.
“Her continued prosecution is unlawful and must be halted immediately. The withdrawal of the criminal charges against Mr. Adetunji Conde, as the case is purely civil and should be treated as such,” it said.
The police, however, are prosecuting the couple for offences bordering on cheating, criminal breach of trust, and personation. The case is ongoing, with the couple maintaining their innocence and alleging a miscarriage of justice.
While the case is scheduled for March 27, the couple have written to the Honourable Judge, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; the Chief Registrar, Federal Capital Territory High Court; and the Director, Magistracy, Federal Capital Territory, requesting that the case be reassigned as they have lost confidence in the trial magistrate.
They noted that the events surrounding their case have caused them immense emotional and psychological anguish, adding that they fear that justice may not be served.
The petition said, “In light of alarming developments that threaten the fairness of our trial, we respectfully seek your urgent intervention to reassign our case to another court and appoint a new magistrate to oversee the matter with impartiality.
“Our concerns stem from the troubling decision of the original magistrate in court 14, who, after granting bail, withdrew from the case cause the case had been originally filed and a remand order granted with an extension given from court 18, we were quickly arraigned in court 14 cause the police were under pressure to grant us bail, the bail conditions are not favourable to Justice Mabel Segun Bello, we have also been told that the sureties would be blackmailed in anyway my this magistrate in court 18 to withdraw under undue pressure.
“Justice Mabel Segun Bello has sent a requested for an agreement of liquidation that’s one sided without recourse to the court, which served has a subtle blackmail. This has only deepened our fear that the course of justice is being manipulated.
“Moreover, we are gravely concerned about the role of Justice Mabel Segun Bello, whose undue influence has transformed what was initially a civil dispute into a criminal case.
“Her actions—marked by personal bias and misuse of power—have led to our wrongful detention for over a month, causing irreparable harm to our lives and families. Furthermore, she has extended this campaign of intimidation to innocent third parties, including Ajoke and Adetunji Conde, in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to coerce and punish us unjustly.
“At the heart of this dispute lies a business agreement, where Mr. Adetunji Conde had committed to repaying an investment within a year. Despite this, Justice Bello and her associates have disregarded the agreed-upon terms, demanding immediate repayment and using legal channels as a tool of oppression rather than justice. Such actions set a dangerous precedent—where influence, rather than law, dictates judicial outcomes.
“The continued handling of this case under the current magistrate fills us with profound fear. We have already endured unjust imprisonment and remain at risk of further victimization. Justice Bello has openly vowed to see us back in prison by 2025, reinforcing our belief that this court will not afford us a fair hearing.
“Even more concerning is the baseless inclusion of Mrs. Ajoke Conde, who has no executive role in the business, yet finds herself ensnared in this legal battle for no justifiable reason. Justice Mabel Segun Bello has bragged that she ran the Magistrate court before and her bidding would be carried out.”
“As law-abiding citizens, we have placed our trust in the Nigerian judicial system. However, under the present circumstances, we fear that justice is slipping beyond our reach. We are not criminals—we are victims of an orchestrated attempt to ruin our lives, our business, and our reputations,” the petition said.
In a recent development, the couple’s lawyer, Femi Falana, wrote to the Inspector General of Police, calling for an immediate investigation into the matter.
“We urge you to use your good office to investigate this matter and ensure that justice is served,” Falana stated.
As the case continues to unfold, the couple remain steadfast in their demand for justice.
“We will not be intimidated or silenced,” said Mr. Conde. “We will continue to fight for our rights and demand that justice be served.”
