Nigerian Radio Presenters to Face N100M Fraud Trial Nov 7

ByEditor

Oct 23, 2025 #Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, #Babafemi Raji, #Blessing Ekerete, #Brila Broadcasting Services, #Brila FM, #cybercrime act, #Federal High Court Lagos, #Kayode Egbetokun, #Larry Izamoje, #Money Laundering, #N100m fraud, #Nigeria sports radio, #sports journalism, #Victor Mkpong

Segun Atanda/

The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed November 7, for the arraignment of three former on-air personalities of Nigeria’s leading sports radio station, Brila FM, over alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to N100 million.

The defendants, Victor Mkpong Sam (popularly known as Akakan), Blessing Sunday Ekerete, and Anthony Babafemi Raji, were well-known voices to millions of sports fans across Nigeria, particularly on Brila FM, founded by veteran broadcaster, Dr. Larry Izamoje.

The station, often described as “Africa’s first and Nigeria’s only sports radio,” has long been regarded as a pioneer in sports journalism and commentary, with Izamoje himself celebrated as one of the most influential figures in African sports media.

The trio are facing a five-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa. They are accused of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering, allegedly involving the diversion of company funds while in the employment of Brila Broadcasting Services Limited.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the court was informed that the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.

Prosecution counsel, Barrister Samuel A. Ogala, told the court that the defendants had been duly served with court summons but that the affidavit of service was not yet in the court’s file.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa consequently adjourned the matter to November 7, 2025, to allow the prosecution to regularise its filing.

In the charge marked, FHC/L/530/2025, counts one to four accuse all three defendants of committing financial crimes. The fifth count specifically alleges that one of the defendants, Babafemi Raji, used social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X to bully and harass Dr. Larry Izamoje, acts said to have caused the veteran broadcaster “fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.”

According to the prosecution, the alleged online harassment violates Section 24(2)(3)(a & b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

The case has attracted widespread public interest due to the defendants’ fame in sports broadcasting and the reputation of Brila FM as the country’s foremost sports radio network.