A lawyer, Ademola Adefolaju, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, over the non-refund of N3.6 million paid to singer-songwriter, Tobechukwu Victor Okoh, a.k.a Peruzzi, by his client, Udomah Daniel Idoteyin.
In the August 16, 2022 petition, the lawyer stated that Idoyin transferred the money to Peruzzi to perform at his wedding, but the musician did not show up and has not refunded the money.
“All effort to recover the said sum has proved abortive. All entreaties to him for a refund have fallen on deaf ears,” the lawyer wrote.
Adefolaju said Idoteyin contacted Peruzzi through a show promoter, Oluwatomi Sokenu, to perform at his wedding on July 23, 2022, at E3 Event and Banquet Hall, KM. 1, Uyo Bassey Way, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
According to him, it was also agreed that the groom will be responsible for Peruzzi’s flight and hotel reservation expenses, including those of his manager and photographer.
The lawyer said his client paid N3million into Peruzzi’s Zenith Bank account in two instalments of N1.5million each on May 25 and May 27, 2022.
He added that an Ibom Air flight was also booked for the singer (N180,000 for business class) and his manager Lawal Oluwafemi and photographer Agbeja Olaoye (N120,000 for regular class tickets).
Adefolaju said Peruzzi was yet to make the refund despite a demand letter being sent to him.
“This development is very improper, unacceptable, disgusting, and distasteful to our client.
“We wish to state that the agreement to perform at the wedding reception of our client, which culminated in the payment of the sum of N3 million with the additional expenses for flight and hotel reservation, was entered into freely and without any form of threat or coercion.
“Our client being a law abiding citizen, not taking laws into his hands, has, through his legal representatives sent a demand letter to Mr. Tobechukwu Victor Okoh (A.K.A Peruzzi), demanding a refund of the sum of N3,670,000. Unfortunately all entreaties to him have fallen on deaf ears.
“We humbly request the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command to use his good office to see that justice is served in this matter,” the lawyer wrote.
The Nation had tried to get Peruzzi to react to the allegation, but he is yet to do so.
On August 9, our correspondent reached out to Oluwafemi through WhatsApp. He promised to call back but never did.
On August 12, our reporter called Peruzzi, who said: “Don’t you think it’s quite rude calling me directly? How did you even get my number? Can’t you wait for him (his manager) till he responds? Do you think he’s jobless? You (The Nation) will hear from me.”
As of the time of filing this follow-up report yesterday, neither Peruzzi nor his manager had responded.
Oluwafemi’s number was switched off when our reporter tried to reach him again on Sunday.
He also did not respond to WhatsApp messages sent to him on Sunday as of press time yesterday.