Sulaiman Olayiwola Gbajabiamila has been sentenced to multiple prison terms by a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja after he was found guilty of defrauding a property buyer of N31 million and forging a Sterling Bank Manager’s cheque.
Justice I. O. Ijelu delivered the judgment on Monday, August 25, 2025, following a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Gbajabiamila was first arraigned on September 19, 2023, by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Command on a seven-count charge, including stealing, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery, use of false documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.
The EFCC alleged that Gbajabiamila was introduced to Lateef Adeyemo by an estate agent, identified as Lukman. Adeyemo, seeking to purchase a flat at Lagos Homes, Iponri, reportedly paid N31 million to Gbajabiamila for a two-bedroom apartment that was never provided. Investigators found that the funds were diverted for personal use.
One of the charges stated that in 2021, Gbajabiamila dishonestly converted N31 million belonging to Adeyemo. Another count accused him of forging a Sterling Bank Manager’s cheque worth N10 million in favour of STB Building Society Limited.
During trial, Gbajabiamila pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Abdulhamid L. Tukur, called two witnesses and submitted documents which the court admitted as evidence. His defence counsel, T. E. Gbado, urged the judge to show leniency, describing him as remorseful and a first-time offender.
After reviewing the case, Justice Ijelu found him guilty on all counts. The court imposed the following penalties:
Count 1 (Stealing): Five years imprisonment or a fine of N1 million.
Count 2 (Obtaining by false pretences): Seven years imprisonment.
Counts 3–5 (Forgery): Two years each, with the option of a N1 million fine per count.
Count 6 (Use of false documents): Two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
Count 7 (Retention of proceeds of crime): Four years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.
Despite pleas for mercy, the judge ruled in accordance with the law, sealing Gbajabiamila’s conviction.
