The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has increased the charges against two defendants accused of stealing N78.3 million belonging to Christopher Onuigbo from three to 20 counts.
Blessing Onyinaya Chimaobi and Uzofor Benson Chinedu were re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
They were initially arraigned on February 7, 2024, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
But the prosecution has now amended the charges, adding 17 counts to the original information.
According to the EFCC, the amended charges border on conspiracy, stealing and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
The offences are said to contravene Section 409 and Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, as well as Sections 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.
In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that Chimaobi, Chinedu and one Olisa Charles, who is currently at large, conspired in Lagos in 2023 to defraud Onuigbo of an aggregate N78,347,100.
Another count alleged that the defendants and Charles dishonestly converted the same amount, said to be the property of Onuigbo, to their personal use between 2018 and 2023.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them in court.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, T. J. Banjo, asked the court to revoke their bail and remand them in a correctional facility.
He also requested that dates be fixed for continuation of the trial.
Banjo told the court that the case had been scheduled for cross-examination but that the prosecution had filed an amended information dated October 26, 2026.
He urged the court to accept the amended charges and have them read to the defendants.
Defence counsel, Peter Taiwo, did not challenge the prosecution’s right to amend the charges but requested adequate time to study the new information and advise his clients.
Taiwo expressed concern over the increase in the number of counts from three to 20, saying the defence needed time to examine the additional allegations.
He also said the defence might seek the recall of the first and second prosecution witnesses if necessary, following the amendments to the charges.
Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently took the defendants’ pleas and adjourned the case for continuation of trial on February 10, 11, 16 and 17, 2027.
