EFCC ARRAIGNS BUSINESSMAN, COMPANY OVER ALLEGED $550,000 FRAUD IN LAGOS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a businessman, Wilson Opuwei, alongside his firm, Dateline Energy Services Ltd., before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged $550,000 fraud.
Opuwei was arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences and stealing. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution, led by Nwandu Ukoha, who held brief for Fadeke Giwa, told the court that the defendant allegedly obtained the sum of $550,000 in April 2011 from a businessman, Prince Donatus, under the false pretence that he would supply 5,000 metric tonnes of kerosene from the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a claim he allegedly knew to be false.
The court was informed that the defendant was initially arraigned on May 23, 2011, before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos State High Court. However, the matter was transferred to Justice Abike-Fadipe for trial to commence de novo following a series of judicial reassignments and appeals.
The prosecution further stated that it had closed its case about nine years ago, while the defence failed to open its case, necessitating a fresh trial. However, defence counsel countered the claim, stating that the defence had commenced its case five years ago before the matter was moved through several courts, including the Court of Appeal, and reassigned to different judges.
Defence counsel also reminded the court that Opuwei was admitted to bail on May 22, 2012, by Justice Abiru, and urged the court to allow the defendant to continue on the existing bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Abike-Fadipe ordered that the defendant should continue on the bail earlier granted and adjourned the case to March 19, 30, and 31, as well as April 1 and 2, 2026, for trial.
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