Adeoti Adebisi
By Our Reporter
A former First Bank staff member, Adeoti Adebisi has been languishing in Osun prison over a failed investment scheme.
Based on this development, sister to the former banker, Awanat, has accused Magistrate Daramola Oyindamola of weaponising the court process to punish the young woman and deliberately delaying her trial in order to force the recovery of money linked to a failed investment scheme.
Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters, Awanat’s sister alleged that what began as a financial dispute has turned into prolonged incarceration, with the court process being used as leverage against her sister, who was arrested while pregnant and later returned to prison with her newborn baby.
According to the family, the case, which has been pending since 2024 at Magistrate Court 1 in Osogbo, Osun State, presided over by Magistrate Dr Olusegun Ayilara, has seen repeated adjournments without a final judgment, even after substantial refunds were made to the complainant.
“The court has not passed any final judgment till now; they just keep adjourning the case since 2024,” her sister said, insisting that the delays were deliberate.
Awanat, who worked at First Bank’s Osogbo branch, was reportedly introduced to a so-called “proof of funds” investment scheme by her colleague, Adediji Samson, and their manager, Mr. Adeniyi Talabi.
The complainant, Magistrate Oyindamola, reportedly invested ₦10 million, while her brother invested ₦15 million, bringing the total sum involved to ₦25 million.
Trouble began when interest payments stopped in 2024, and Talabi, who allegedly managed the funds, was dismissed. He subsequently disappeared.
Despite this, Awanat, who was pregnant at the time, was arrested alongside Samson around April/May 2024 and remanded in prison.
“Imagine a pregnant woman behind bars, scared, confused, and helpless,” her sister told SaharaReporters. “We tried everything to save her.”
The family alleged that multiple lawyers withdrew from the case after initial appearances due to threats.
“One lawyer quietly told us the truth: the complainant (Magistrate Oyindamola) was threatening them, and they were afraid to continue,” she said.
Although bail was granted, the conditions were reportedly impossible for the family to meet. Meanwhile, Talabi was later arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ibadan and subsequently re-arrested as efforts were made to recover the money.
In August 2024, Awanat gave birth through a Caesarean section but was returned to Ilesha Prison with her baby just eight days later. Since then, her health has reportedly deteriorated, with complications including gallstones.
The family said that through struggle, sacrifice and support from friends and strangers, ₦15 million was refunded to the complainant’s account in batches. However, they alleged that each payment only led to fresh demands.
“After ₦15 million had been refunded, the complainant insisted that an additional ₦5 million must be paid,” the sister said. “Each time money was raised, another ₦5 million demand followed.”
According to the family, at the last court sitting in 2025, when they hoped Awanat would regain her freedom, the complainant’s lawyer informed the court that his client was again requesting another ₦5 million.
They alleged that the continued detention is no longer about justice but about coercion.
“This is punishment,” the sister said. “The court is being used as a weapon to break her until every kobo is recovered.”
The family said they have repeatedly appealed to Magistrate Oyindamola, citing Awanat’s failing health and the welfare of her child, but alleged that she has refused to relent.
“We begged her. We pleaded with her. We reminded her that my sister is a young mother and that prison is slowly killing her,” the sister said. “But she refused to listen.”
As the case drags on without judgment, Awanat remains behind bars with her child, while her family continues to accuse the complainant of deliberately stalling the trial to maintain pressure and force repayment through prolonged incarceration.
