EFCC re-arraigns two defendants over ₦78.3m fraud in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu before a Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants face amended charges involving the alleged theft of ₦78,347,100 from a complainant, Christopher Onuigbo.

Originally arraigned in February 2024 on three counts, the prosecution has since increased the charges to 20 counts. These include conspiracy, stealing, and the retention of proceeds of criminal conduct under the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the EFCC Establishment Act. The prosecution alleges that the defendants, alongside a third suspect named Olisa Charles who remains at large, conspired to defraud Onuigbo and converted the funds for personal use between 2018 and 2023.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following the pleas, prosecution counsel T. J. Banjo requested that the court revoke the defendants’ bail and remand them in a correctional facility while seeking an adjournment for the continuation of the trial.