The absence of Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, has stalled the hearing of a criminal case filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) against Shitta Waliu Aderibigbe and a travel agency, Fanzine Educational Consult.
The case, brought on behalf of a UK-based complainant, Mr. Opeyemi Makinde, accuses the defendants of providing false information to the British government.
When the matter came up on September 22, 2025, the judge was said to be indisposed, forcing an adjournment until November 19, 2025, when the court will hear a motion filed by the IGP. The motion seeks permission for the complainant, Makinde, to testify virtually.
Aderibigbe and the company face a two-count charge but pleaded not guilty. Justice Oyeyipo earlier granted him bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two sureties who must be civil servants not below Grade Level 9 and residents of the FCT. The sureties were also directed to deposit passport photographs with the court registry.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offence occurred on January 19, 2023, when Aderibigbe allegedly provided false information to the British Embassy, claiming that one Emmanuel Makinde Opeyemi was married to Dolapo Afussat Yusuf.
The police said the false claim placed Opeyemi at risk of deportation to Nigeria, knowing the act to be unlawful and punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 98, Laws of Northern Nigeria.
Yusuf, who was also named in the charge, is reportedly at large.