Family members of an Abuja-based businessman, Adetunji Conde, have raised alarm over his deteriorating health while in detention, warning that he may be facing kidney failure amid an ongoing ₦100 million investment dispute involving a serving judge, Mabel Segun-Bello.
According to relatives, Conde, who is being held at Keffi Old Prison, has developed stage-one renal failure after spending several months in custody over the financial disagreement. They say his condition is worsening due to a lack of adequate medical care inside the facility.
Family sources revealed that before his arrest in 2025, the businessman was already managing several health issues, including diabetes, hypertension and an enlarged prostate. Since his detention, however, they claim his health has deteriorated sharply.
A source close to the case said the court had been informed about Conde’s worsening medical condition but directed him to seek treatment within the prison.
“Although the court is aware of his medical condition, he was asked to receive treatment inside the prison facility, which does not have the equipment required to manage such complications,” the source said.
Conde has also complained about what he described as repeated delays and irregularities in the handling of his bail.
According to him, after his wife, Ajoke Amudat Conde, was granted bail by a magistrate court in Wuse II, it took several days before his own surety was approved.
He alleged that even after verification of the surety’s residence and workplace, additional delays occurred before the prosecutor signed the bail documents.
The businessman further claimed that the magistrate later suspended both his bail and the case indefinitely, allegedly citing the involvement of “powerful individuals” in the matter.
Conde said the situation prompted intervention from the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, who reportedly ordered that his bail be granted and demanded an explanation from the magistrate involved. However, he claimed the directive was not implemented before the magistrate recused himself from the case.
The matter has since been transferred to a third magistrate court, where a new bail condition requires him to deposit ₦100 million into an interest-bearing account.
Conde also accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of interfering with evidence in the case.
He alleged that investigators deleted WhatsApp messages from his phone that he said contained proof of his repayment plans to the complainant.
According to him, the police team handling the case had also threatened to re-arrest him if he eventually secures bail.
The legal battle 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 a civil contractual dispute and should have been resolved through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution.
He said he had already sent proposals outlining how the investment would be refunded, but claims those messages were among the data allegedly removed from his phone.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had earlier petitioned former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun over the case, arguing that using police powers to enforce a private financial dispute violates established Supreme Court rulings.
Falana also questioned why Mrs. Conde was included in the charges despite allegedly having no direct involvement in the business transaction.
With Conde’s health reportedly worsening in custody, his family and legal team are calling for urgent intervention.
They are demanding the withdrawal of the criminal charges and his immediate release so he can receive specialised medical treatment outside the prison facility.
According to them, without prompt action, the prolonged detention could turn the dispute into what they describe as a fatal miscarriage of justice.