In Kwara, Lawyer has been charged with defrauding his client, Landmark University

Temidayo Eseyin, a lawyer and former member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Kwara State, has been charged with defrauding his client, Landmark University.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Command accused Eseyin, who is also an associate pastor with the Living Faith Church, of abusing his position as an attorney to Landmark University to cheat and defraud his client of ?19.3 million.

EFCC said the defendant appeared in court on Wednesday, June 21, and is facing a four-count charge of dishonest misappropriation of university funds before Justice Funsho Lawal of the Kwara State High Court.

According to the anti-graft agency, between 2014 and 2022, the defendant managed the “Old Midland Building” belonging to Landmark University, located along Emir’s/Obbo Road in Ilorin, for which Eseyin collected rent for 8 years but could not account for the funds.

The defendant also allegedly attempted to sell the property without authorisation from the University.

Count 3 of the charge reads: “That you, Temidayo Eseyin, sometime in the year 2021, in Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Six Million, Sixty Four Thousand Naira Only (?6, 064,000) representing payment of rent on the property known as Old Midland Building belonging to Landmark University and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 309 of the same Law,”

Eseyin, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Rashidat Alao, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant pending trial.

The defendant’s lawyer, Femi Makinde, moved an application for Eseyin’s bail.

Justice Lawal admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ?10 million with two sureties in the sum of ?5 million each.

The judge ordered that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case to a date that would be communicated to the parties.