ILORIN, Nigeria – The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Temidayo Eseyin, an associate pastor with the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, on charges of defrauding Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, to the tune of N19.3 million.
Eseyin, also a lawyer and former member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, was brought before Justice Funsho Lawal of the Kwara State High Court on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
He faces a four-count charge, principally relating to the dishonest misappropriation of university funds.
According to a petition received by the EFCC, Eseyin had access to the university’s properties, title documents, and funds in his role as counsel/attorney to the institution.
He is alleged to have been “cheating, defrauding, misappropriating and shortchanging” his client.
A specific accusation states that between 2014 and 2022, Eseyin managed a property known as the “Old Midland Building” owned by Landmark University.
The rent, collected over eight years, was allegedly not accounted for when requested.
Furthermore, Eseyin is accused of attempting to sell the property without the university’s consent.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Rashidat Alao, requested the court to set a trial date and asked for Eseyin to be held in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre.
Eseyin’s lawyer, Femi Makinde, meanwhile moved an application for his client’s bail.
Judge Lawal set bail at N10 million with two sureties of N5 million each, required to have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
While adjourning the case, the judge ordered Eseyin to be remanded in EFCC custody until his bail conditions were met.
