The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, 29 October 2026, re-arraigned Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants face allegations of conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct involving N78,347,100.
The pair were first arraigned on 7 February 2024 on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The prosecution later amended the charges, bringing the total to 20 counts. These relate to 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 alleges that Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi, Uzofor Benson Chinedu and Olisa Charles (at large) sometime in 2023 in Lagos conspired to defraud Christopher Onuigbo of an aggregate sum of N78,347,100. Count Two alleges that the same persons sometime between 2018 and 2023 dishonestly converted the same sum, being the property of Christopher Onuigbo, for their own use.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Prosecution counsel T. J. Banjo then asked the court to revoke their bail and remand them in a correctional facility. He also sought a date for the continuation of the trial.
Earlier, Banjo told the court that the matter had been listed for cross-examination and that the prosecution had filed an amended information dated 26 October 2026. He urged the court to accept the amended charges. Defence counsel Peter Taiwo did not oppose the amendment but said the defence needed adequate time to study the new information. He noted that the prosecution had raised the number of counts from three to 20 and requested an adjournment so that he could advise his clients. He added that the defence might seek to recall the first and second prosecution witnesses in light of the changes.
Justice Fadipe took the defendants’ pleas and adjourned the case to 10, 11, 16 and 17 February 2027 for continuation of trial.
By John James
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