A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jimi Adebisi Lawal, has been remanded in prison custody over allegations of obtaining ₦4.5 million under false pretence and stealing.
Lawal, 66, was arraigned before an Ilaro Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and stealing.
The police alleged that on April 28, 2025, Lawal and others at large conspired to fraudulently lease the UAMC Hall in Ilaro to the Seed of Christ Golden Church for one year at a cost of ₦4.5 million.
The prosecution said the money was paid into Lawal’s account, but the church was evicted from the property just one week after taking possession.
According to the charge sheet, Apostle Dr. Solomon Moses Mustapha, representing the church, demanded a refund, but Lawal allegedly became evasive.
Peak Newspaper Nigeria gathered that the case was reported to the police, and despite multiple promises to repay within 24 hours, weeks passed without any refund.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that when eventually invited by the police, Lawal allegedly flared up during questioning at both the Area Command and the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
He reportedly refused to write a statement, insisting on consulting his lawyer.
Following a detention order, the politician was held overnight before being charged to court.
The offences, according to the police, contravene Sections 516, 419, and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The charge sheet read “That you Jimi Adebisi Lawal ‘m’, and others still at large, on the 28th April, 2025 at UAMC Hall,Opposite Himbab filling Station, Eleja, Ilaro in the Ilaro Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining Money under False Pretence and Stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you Jimi Adebisi Lawal ‘m’, and others still at large, On the 28th April, 2025 in the noon at UAMC Hall, Opposite Himbab Filling Station, Eleja, Ilaro in the Ilaro Magisterial District did obtain sum of Four Million, Five hundred thousand naira (N4,500,000.00) from one Apostle Dr. Solomon Moses Mustapha JP ‘M’,on behalf of Seed of Christ Golden Church, ably represented by one Akinmoyero Kayode ‘m’ through One Adebola Matonmi ‘m’ under the pretence to lease UAMC Hall to him, a representation you know to be false and thereby Committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable Under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you Jimi Adebisi Lawal ‘m’ and others still at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal sum of Four million, Five hundred thousand naira (N4,500,000.00) property of Seed of Christ Golden Church, ably represented by one Akinmoyero Kayode ‘m’, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 383 and Punishable Under Section 390 (9)of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The Magistrate ordered Lawal’s remand and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
