The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, October 29, 2026, re-arraigned Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over their alleged involvement in conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct involving Seventy-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N78,347,100).
The defendants were initially arraigned on February 7, 2024, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The prosecution subsequently amended the charges, resulting in a 20-count charge against them.
The charges border on 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.
Count One reads: “Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi, Uzofor Benson Chinedu and Olisa Charles (at Large) sometimes in 2023 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court conspired to defraud one Christopher Onuigbo an aggregate sum of Seventy-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N78,347,100).”
Count Two reads: “Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi, Uzofor Benson Chinedu and Olisa Charles (at large) sometimes in 2018 through 2023 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court dishonestly converted for your own use an aggregate sum of N78,347,100 (Seventy-eight million, three hundred and forty seven thousand, one hundred naira) Property of Christopher Onuigbo.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court.
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 a date for the continuation of the trial.
Earlier, Banjo informed the court that the matter was scheduled for cross-examination and that the prosecution had filed an amended information dated October 26, 2026. He urged the court to accept the amended charges and read to the defendants.
Defence counsel, Peter Taiwo, did not oppose the prosecution’s right to amend the charges but argued that the defence was entitled to adequate time to study the amended information and respond appropriately.
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 study the new charges and advise his clients accordingly.
He also indicated that the defence might apply for the recall of prosecution witnesses one and two, if necessary, in view of the amended charges.
The court proceeded to take the defendants’ pleas before adjourning the matter.
Justice Fadipe adjourned the matter to February 10, 11, 16 and 17, 2027, for the continuation of trial.
