Innocent Man Who Spent 4 Years in Ikoyi Prison Because He Had No Lawyer, Helped By Foundation

Headfort Foundation, a prison reform initiative, has recounted how Ikenna Dike, a Lagos-based businessman, spent four years in custody because he had no lawyer to represent him.

In a phone conversation with FIJ, Headfort said a certain man from Dike’s village showed interest in investing in his business. Headfort said Dike agreed in 2017 but realised later that the venture wasn’t profitable.

Headfort said Dike informed his investor, who lived abroad, of his decision to pull out of the business, but he did not like the arrangement. The foundation said after the investor arrived in Nigeria, he accosted Dike with boys who beat him up.

“The boys found his cheque book in his house. They then forced him to write a N70,000,000 cheque. Dike did not have such an amount in his account. So, the investor went to the Ago Police Station and alleged that Dike owed him N70, 000,000,” Headfort told FIJ.

“Dike tried explaining that the investor had only N9,000,000, but it was too late. They transferred the case to Panti, where the police emptied his account after getting his fingerprints with a machine. Afterwards, the police charged Dike to court for stealing.”

Headfort stated that Dike was granted bail but could not perfect it because he had no money. He remained in custody in Ikoyi Prison.

“In July 2021, Ikenna contacted Juliet Mma, one of our lawyers, through another inmate in prison. Our lawyer took his brief and represented him,” Headfort said.

“Our lawyer secured his release on March 29, 2022. He spent four years in custody because he had no lawyer to follow up the matter and ensure justice was served.”