The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned two defendants, Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu, over an alleged N78.3 million fraud involving a Lagos-based businessman, 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, on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 said the defendants were initially arraigned on February 7, 2024, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The charges were subsequently amended, increasing the counts to 20.
According to the commission, the alleged offences involved a total sum of N78,347,100 belonging to Onuigbo.
The first count alleged that the defendants and another individual, identified as Olisa Charles, who is currently at large, conspired in 2023 in Lagos to defraud Onuigbo of the sum.
Another count accused the defendants of dishonestly converting N78,347,100 belonging to the complainant for their personal use between 2018 and 2023.
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.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the amended charges were read to them in court.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, T. J. Banjo, urged the court to revoke the defendants’ bail and remand them in a correctional facility. He also requested dates for the continuation of the trial.
Banjo earlier informed the court that the case had been scheduled for cross-examination and that the prosecution had filed an amended information dated October 26, 2026.
He asked the court to accept the amended charges and have them read to the defendants.
Defence counsel, Peter Taiwo, did not oppose the prosecution’s right to amend the charges but argued that his clients were entitled to adequate time to study the new information and prepare their defence.
Taiwo expressed concern that the prosecution had increased the charges from three to 20, introducing 17 additional counts.
He therefore requested an adjournment to enable him to examine the amended charges and advise his clients accordingly.
The defence counsel also indicated that the defence might seek the recall of the first and second prosecution witnesses, if necessary, in view of the changes to the charges.
The court proceeded to take the defendants’ pleas before adjourning the matter.
Justice Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case to February 10, 11, 16 and 17, 2027, for the continuation of trial.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
