The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Christopher Ekene Ofielu, for stealing ₦6.9 million, even as it arraigned a businessman, Ajayi Edward Olushola, for an alleged ₦1.07 billion fuel fraud in Lagos.
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Monday, October 20, 2025, convicted and sentenced Ofielu, 39, to 18 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and possession of stolen property brought against him by the EFCC.
According to the Commission, Ofielu used a HabariPay Squad account created for criminal activity to transfer ₦6,995,944 into his Access Bank account (No. 14864072356) belonging to HabariPay Ltd.
EFCC counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, told the court that the defendant was arrested following a petition dated September 26, 2023, from HabariPay Ltd., alleging unauthorized withdrawals. Testifying before the court, an EFCC investigator, Adams Adze, explained that Ofielu exploited a system glitch to siphon the funds.
While Dambuwa urged the court to convict the defendant based on his plea and a plea bargain agreement, defence counsel, Mercy Akhabue, pleaded for leniency, describing the convict as remorseful and a first-time offender.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi convicted Ofielu on the count of stealing and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, to take effect from October 20, 2025.
However, the court gave him an option of a ₦1.5 million fine, provided he restitutes the stolen sum of ₦6,995,944 to HabariPay Ltd within seven days from his Access Bank account. Failing that, the full jail term will apply.
The judge also ordered the restoration of Ofielu’s Ecobank salary account, and directed that his biometric data be entered into the Lagos State Offenders’ Register. He was remanded in EFCC custody pending the completion of documentation.
In a related development, the Commission on Monday, October 27, 2025, arraigned Ajayi Edward Olushola alongside his companies, Hola-Jayu Nigeria Limited and Mozann Global Merchants Limited, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the same court over an alleged ₦1.07 billion fraud involving the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Ajayi Edward Olushola
Olushola and his companies were charged on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy, and stealing to the tune of ₦1,070,779,000.00.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained the sum from their business partners under the guise of supplying Automotive Gas Oil in Lagos.
The defendant pleaded not guilty, and Justice Abike-Fadipe adjourned the matter for trial commencement, ordering that he be remanded pending the perfection of bail conditions.
The EFCC said both cases reflect its commitment to ensuring that individuals and corporate bodies involved in economic and financial crimes face justice in accordance with the law.
