EFCC Docks Man For Alleged N72.4m Theft In Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, December 1, 2022, arraigned one Onoja Peter before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a six-count charge bordering on an alleged theft to the tune of N72,449,000.


The offence is contrary to Section 278 (1) (a) and (b) and Section 285 (1) of the Criminal of Lagos State of Nigeria 2021.

One of the counts reads: "Mr. Onoja Peter, sometime between February 2016 and December 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole by fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N15,900,000, property of National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employee, NUBTE."

Another count reads: "Mr. Onoja Peter, sometime between January 2019 and August 2019 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole by fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N16,830,000, property of National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employee, NUBTE."

He is further accused of defrauding the Union of the sums of N8,499,000; N9,900,000; N11,030,000; and N10,290,000 at different times.

He pleaded "not guilty" to all the counts when they were read to him.

The prosecuting counsel, Anita Imo, prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution prove its case against the defendant, and for the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre.

The defence counsel, Paul Okoli, prayed the court for the remand of the defendant at the EFCC custody pending the determination of his bail application.

Justice Dada adjourned the case till January 23, 2023, for trial.

The defendant was also ordered to be remanded at the Correctional Centre of his choice pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.