By Paul Joseph
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a woman, Chinwendu Fidelia Ohanebo, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged N42.345 million fraud.
Ohanebo was arraigned on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC before Justice M.A. Lawal on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing by conversion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant obtained N42,345,000 from one Musa Muhammed Jidda in 2025 under the pretence that the money was payment for the supply of 45 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N941 per litre.
The EFCC alleged that the transaction was fraudulent and charged Ohanebo under Sections 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The second count accused her of dishonestly converting the N42.345 million belonging to Jidda to her personal use, allegedly contrary to Section 280(1)(b) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
When the charges were read to her, Ohanebo pleaded guilty to the first count but entered a plea of not guilty to the second count.
Following the plea, EFCC counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, asked the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution commence trial on the second count.
Justice Lawal subsequently adjourned the case for a review of facts in relation to the first count and commencement of trial on the second count.
The judge also ordered that Ohanebo be remanded in a correctional facility pending the continuation of proceedings.
The case will now proceed with the court expected to consider the facts surrounding the alleged transaction while the prosecution pursues the outstanding count against the defendant.
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