The legal battle between an Abuja-based couple, Mr. Adetunji Conde and Mrs. Ajoke Amudat Conde, and a serving judge, Mabel Segun-Bello, has escalated into what relatives and rights advocates now describe as a life-threatening human rights crisis.

New updates obtained by SaharaReporters from the couple’s family indicate that Mr. Conde’s health has deteriorated sharply while in detention at Keffi Old Prison, where he is reportedly battling stage-one renal failure after months in custody over a ₦100 million investment dispute.

Family members warn that the situation is rapidly worsening and could become fatal if urgent medical care is not provided.

According to relatives, Conde had been managing several chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and an enlarged prostate, before his arrest in 2025.

Since his incarceration, they say, the lack of specialised care has pushed his health toward kidney failure.

A source familiar with the case told SaharaReporters: “Although the court is aware of his worsening medical condition, he was directed to seek treatment within the prison facility, which unfortunately does not have the necessary medical equipment or capacity to manage his condition.”

Family members say the continued detention despite his condition effectively amounts to a medical death sentence.

Controversial Bail Delays and Judicial ‘Reset’

Conde also described what he alleges were repeated delays and irregularities in the handling of his bail.

In a message sent to SaharaReporters on Thursday, he recounted the process after his wife was granted bail.

“In the court of the second magistrate in Wuse II, after the stringent bail conditions had been varied and met and my wife released, it took the magistrate five days to approve my own surety,” he said.

He added that even after verification of the surety’s residence and workplace, additional delays occurred.

“Upon the verification of the abode and office of the surety, it took almost another two weeks for the prosecutor to come and sign in court,” he said.

According to Conde, the matter took an unexpected turn when the magistrate suspended both the case and his bail indefinitely.

“On the set day, the Magistrate ruled that both the case and my bail had been put on indefinite suspension due to the fact that powerful people are interested in the case,” he said.

He further claimed that the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory later intervened.

“The CJ of Abuja ordered that my bail should be immediately granted and that both the Director of Magistracy and the Magistrate should be petitioned for explanation on this ruling,” he said.

However, Conde said the directive was never implemented, adding, “Instead of carrying out the order, the so-called Magistrate recused himself from the matter. A conviction without a trial.”

The case has since been transferred to a third magistrate court, where the presiding magistrate imposed a mandatory payment of N100 million into an interest‑bearing account as a bail condition. Meanwhile, the trial has continued to be adjourned repeatedly without explanation.

Alleged Police Interference

Conde also accused officers attached to the Nigeria Police Force of interfering with evidence in the case.

He claimed that a police team allegedly deleted key WhatsApp messages from his phone.

“Through a WhatsApp message which has been deleted by the police, the case from 2025 has spilled over into 2026,” he said.

He further alleged intimidation by investigators.

“The police team led by Funmi PPRO FCID who deleted all evidence on my phone has vowed to re-arrest me when granted bail and have sent their men to be present at every court proceeding.”

The Dispute Behind the Case

The conflict stems from a ₦100 million investment allegedly made by Justice Segun-Bello in the couple’s company, Elizabeth and Esther Nigeria Limited.

Conde insists the matter is purely contractual and should have been handled through civil litigation.

“I have refused to defraud the five states we signed for by giving them ₦700 million on an investment of ₦100 million,” he said.

“I have also sent them how their monies will be refunded since 2024,” he said but Justice Segun-Bello has refused. He wondered how they want him to pay back the money.

According to him, the repayment plan, send to him, were among the messages allegedly removed from his phone.

Human Rights Concerns

SaharaReporters had previously reported that a prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had petitioned the then-Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, describing the prosecution as unlawful.

Falana argued that the use of police powers to enforce a private financial dispute violates long-standing Supreme Court rulings.

He also questioned why Mrs. Conde was included in the charges despite her alleged lack of involvement in the business transaction.

In petitions submitted to the FCT High Court and the Directorate of Magistracy, the couple had expressed a lack of confidence in the fairness of the trial process.

They alleged that Justice Segun-Bello had claimed influence over the magistrate courts.

“We have also been told that the sureties would be blackmailed to withdraw under undue pressure,” the couple wrote in their petition.

They further alleged that the judge had vowed to keep them behind bars for an extended period.

Claims of a Courtroom Setup

The couple also maintains that their earlier failure to appear in court, which led to the revocation of their bail, was deliberately orchestrated.

Conde alleged that plainclothes officers intercepted them on the morning of the hearing and drove them around Abuja for hours.

“They were only asking us where the balance of the ₦100 million was,” he said.

“By the time they allowed us to go, the presiding magistrate had already revoked our bail and issued a bench warrant for our absence.”

Plea for Intervention

Conde says he has written to several security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency, seeking investigations into the case.

He claims none of the agencies have acted since his detention.

“My family is living under constant fear of being abducted or killed because of a civil contract,” he said.

In a final appeal, Conde warned that the situation had become a matter of life and death.

“I hereby call on well-meaning Nigerians to save me from this summary conviction that has now become a death sentence,” he said.

With the matter now restarting before a third magistrate, Conde’s family and legal team say the repeated procedural resets and strict bail conditions have effectively kept him incarcerated while his health deteriorates.

They are demanding the immediate withdrawal of criminal charges and the unconditional release of Adetunji Conde so he can receive urgent medical treatment outside prison custody.

Without intervention, they warn, the dispute risks turning into a fatal miscarriage of justice.

Source: SaharaReporters

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Thursday, hosted a captivating edition of its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.”

The hybrid session which was held at the UBA House in Marina Lagos and also transmitted live to participants across the globe, is part of activities to mark the International Women’s Month and focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while also creating sustainable impact across their various spheres of operation.

UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, who gave the opening remarks at the event, explained that the evolved woman is one who is taking charge, volunteering and making their voice heard above the noise.

The event was moderated by popular media personality and actor, Tobi Bakre; who said, “When I think about the evolved woman, I personally do not see a checklist or a finish point. In my own opinion, it is a woman who is grounded in her own self-worth and gives room for other women to be grounded in theirs, choosing herself daily and ultimately letting other women around her know and believe that they belong here too.”

The event featured panel conversations with leading entrepreneur and founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika; celebrated media personality and digital entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye; founder of Fine-Funky, Olufunke Davies, and award-winning broadcaster, Ayo Mario-Ese who shared experiences around their struggles and eventual evolution as female business owners.

From her point of view, Joycee Awosika, an energy economist who has been focused on promoting the African heritage, the evolved woman is one who has awareness of who she is. “That woman does not need to ask to sit at the table, she is creating her own table and adding value. As your company is growing, you must grow too, and always do an audit of where you need to become a better leader” she stated.

To Tomike Adeoye, the question of what a woman is bringing to the table has now become obsolete, as the evolved woman is now bringing their own table. “She is now more vocal about their struggles, setting the standards and she is not ready to give up on her dreams,” she added.

Ayo Mario-Ese expressed worry about females who are usually laidback about speaking up and sharing their achievements, and said that women need to own their own stories: “A lot of women are doing phenomenal work and are sometimes afraid of showcasing what they are doing. As an evolved woman, you have to find out what you are comfortable doing, and create your own unique offering, and also be open to collaboration.”

“Creating unique designs that are affordable remains my driving force and something that has helped me grow as an evolved woman,” remarked Olufunke Davies, who confessed to having ventured into a lot of businesses before finding her niche. “It is important to do your research, streamline and think about relatability. But the important thing I will say is start where you are as it is a progression.”

The Group Head, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, who commended the panellists and the attendees for taking their time to join the event said, “Raising each woman up is actually not that hard; because, everyone has their community as well as their story; and so as women, we need to take position so that you can give to others.”

Ladipo took time to speak about the Gen W platform, put together by the bank, as she explained that it is a lifestyle platform dedicated to the evolved woman, adding, “Through expert insights, real stories, and practical resources, the platform connects women who are building brands, creating businesses, growing careers, and leading across industries. They also have access to a plethora of discounted products and loans. The best part: it is open to every woman. No UBA account needed. This is Gen W, for the evolved woman,” she said.

UBA continues to reaffirm its commitment to empowering women and entrepreneurs through platforms such as the Business Series, which continues to serve as a hub for mentorship, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership. By convening influential voices and sharing practical experiences, the bank aims to inspire a new generation of women leaders and innovators across Africa and beyond.

The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State cannot contest the 2028 governorship election, holding that doing so would violate the constitutional limit of eight years in office.

Delivering judgement, Justice Adegoke held that Aiyedatiwa, who first assumed office on 27 December 2023 following the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and was later sworn in again on 24 February 2025 after winning the 16 November 2024 governorship election, cannot seek another term in 2028.

The court ruled that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not permit a president or governor to remain in office for more than eight years, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Marwa v. Nyako to support its position.

Justice Adegoke further held that the suit was neither speculative nor academic, stressing that the court has the inherent authority to interpret provisions of the Constitution and ensure strict compliance with them.

The case was filed by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Akin Egbuwalo, through his counsel, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), seeking interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to Aiyedatiwa’s tenure.

The section, along with Section 182(3), provides that a person sworn in to complete the term of another elected official can only contest and serve one additional term.

Egbuwalo argued that since Aiyedatiwa had taken two oaths of office—first as successor to the late Governor Akeredolu and later as an elected governor—the Constitution limits him to only one additional term.

Those listed as defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC, and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami.

Justice Adegoke noted in her ruling that the third to fifth defendants failed to participate in the hearing of the case, and their processes were therefore deemed abandoned.

The court held that, “If the third defendant is allowed to contest and serve another four years, that will be against the position of the law in Marwa v. Nyako, where the Supreme Court held that a president or governor cannot serve beyond eight years.”

Consequently, the court considered only the submissions of the plaintiff and the first and second defendants.

She concluded that allowing Aiyedatiwa to contest again and potentially serve another four years would contradict the Supreme Court’s position that no president or governor can remain in office for more than eight years.

The court subsequently upheld the arguments of the plaintiff and granted all the reliefs sought in the suit.