EFCC Re-Arraigns Two Defendants Over Alleged N78.3m Theft in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned two defendants, Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu, over their alleged involvement in the stealing of N78.3 million belonging to one Christopher Onuigbo.
The defendants were re-arraigned on Wednesday, October 29, 2026, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement by the EFCC, the defendants are facing a 20-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct involving N78,347,100.
The commission disclosed that the defendants were initially arraigned on February 7, 2024, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. However, the prosecution subsequently amended the charges, increasing the counts to 20.
The charges include conspiracy, contrary to Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011; stealing, contrary to Section 285 of the same law; and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, contrary to Sections 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.
One of the charges alleged that the defendants, alongside one Olisa Charles, who is currently at large, conspired in 2023 to defraud Onuigbo of N78,347,100.
Another count accused them of dishonestly converting the same amount belonging to the complainant for their personal use between 2018 and 2023.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, T. J. Banjo, urged the court to revoke their bail and remand them in a correctional facility. He also requested an adjournment for the continuation of the trial.
Earlier, Banjo had informed the court that the matter was scheduled for cross-examination and that the prosecution had filed an amended information dated October 26, 2026.
Defence counsel, Peter Taiwo, did not oppose the prosecution’s decision to amend the charges but requested adequate time to study the amended information.
Taiwo expressed concern that the charges had increased from three to 20, introducing 17 additional counts. He also indicated that the defence might seek the recall of the first and second prosecution witnesses, if necessary, following the amendment.
After taking the defendants’ pleas, Justice Fadipe adjourned the case to February 10, 11, 16 and 17, 2027, for the continuation of trial.
