A Lagos-based accountant, Ayodele Oduniyi, is frustrated about alleged ongoing bothering and mistreatment by police officers from the Federal Investigations Bureau in the Federal Capital Territory Command. He says that these security personnel teamed up with his former employer, Sonny Idedevbo, to create false charges against him several times since 2020.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro on Monday, Oduniyi explained that he worked at Idedevbo’s company as the Operation Manager and Accountant from 2014 to 2017. However, he left the company in January 2017 due to a disagreement with his boss regarding office procedures, operations, and rules of engagement, which led to a legal dispute.
He said, “There was a misunderstanding about a project, and he insisted on taking money from my salary. I refused, suggesting that any mistakes should be shared among all those involved in the project and that he should not single me out. Consequently, he fired me. Afterwards, I asked for my unpaid salary from 2014 to 2017, but he refused to pay. Additionally, he had given me money in Fidelity bank, which he had authorized.”
“He demanded that I return the money, but I refused, insisting that he should instead pay my unpaid salaries. I sought mediation at the Lagos State mediation center, but he failed to attend. Instead, he reported the matter to the Idimu police station, where the DPO said that it was a civil matter. The IPO in charge of the case later called me, and when I arrived, I was charged with theft, leading to my appearance at the Ejigbo Magistrates Court.”
However, Oduniyi clarified that the police bothering started on February 10, 2020, during a court hearing at the Magistrates’ Court in Ejigbo.
He explained, “I was arrested at the court premises by Inspector David Daniel and Christopher Ogu, and then taken to Abuja, where I was detained for 8 days. I was eventually released on administrative bail due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
“I returned to Abuja on January 7th, 2021, where I submitted numerous documents to support my defence, proving my innocence regarding the complainant’s claims. Unfortunately, these police officers failed to conduct a thorough investigation and take action against the complainant, who failed to present any evidence supporting his accusations.”
Oduniyi mentioned that he was charged in the Federal High Court on November 29, 2021, but the case was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.
Also, he revealed that he was once again arrested outside the court premises by the same policemen and taken to their office. However, he was ultimately released to his lawyer after signing an undertaking to appear in Lagos when they refile the charges.
According to him, in March 2022, IPO David Daniel called him “to come to Abuja because they had refiled their charge there, contrary to the judgment of Honorable Justice D.U. Okorowo (CTC of judgment attached).”
He said, “I insisted they must refile in Lagos because I can’t attend trials in Abuja when all complainants and defendants reside in Lagos. In a show of favouritism towards the complainant, a court restriction was placed on my GT Bank account 0016222815 in 2019, when the case was still at the magistrate court in Lagos. They relied on this court restriction. I was then arrested inside GT Bank – Idimu (Lagos) on June 2nd, 2022, and taken to Abuja for the second time.
“I spent 22 days in their facility without a lawyer, food, water, and without being charged in court. It was the Honorable Senator from my state who helped me get out on administrative bail for the second time. Because of the long time I was detained, I developed a severe ulcer, even though the police knew I had asthma. I was let out on Administrative bail on June 23rd, 2022.”
He said a new charge with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/47/2022 was brought against him for cybercrime and cyberstalking.
He described the new allegation as strange and a clever way for the prosecution team to bring the case to the High Court, which doesn't have jurisdiction over a supposed crime committed in Lagos by residents of both parties.
Regarding the alleged cybercrime involving an account on which he claimed they were joint signatories, Oduniyi clarified that he could only withdraw money with the complainant’s authorization.
He explained that the police had been bringing the same charges against him, and his former employer had refused to appear in court despite being invited multiple times. He also mentioned being kept in Suleja and Keffi correctional centers with strict bail conditions.
“The most significant pain right now is the financial implications and psychological trauma of attending trials in different courts and shuttling between Lagos and Abuja. This is unacceptable. The police took sides in a civil matter and made it seem like a criminal matter,” he added.
He urged the police authorities to investigate the situation and take disciplinary action against the police officers working with his ex-employer.
When contacted, Idedevbo declined to comment on the allegations, saying, “Excuse me, I cannot speak with you.”
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached as calls made to his mobile phone went unanswered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to at the time of filing this report.
