A Lagos court has convicted Christopher Ekene Ofielu, a 39‑year‑old driver for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, of stealing approximately $15,000 (about 6.9 million naira). On October 20, 2025, Justice Rahman Osodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 18 months in prison after Ofielu pleaded guilty to three counts: conspiracy, theft and possession of the stolen funds.
The prosecution alleged that Ofielu exploited a system glitch to withdraw the money illegally, using his HabariPay Squad account to transfer the funds into his Access Bank account. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched the investigation after receiving a petition from HabariPay Ltd dated September 26, 2023, which led to Ofielu’s arrest.
During the trial, defense counsel Mercy Akhabue asked for leniency, emphasizing Ofielu’s remorse and his status as a first‑time offender. Justice Osodi convicted him on the theft charge and imposed the 18‑month prison term, effective from the sentencing date. The judge also offered an alternative: a fine of 1.5 million naira, provided Ofielu fully restitutes the stolen amount to HabariPay Ltd within seven days.
In addition, the court ordered the restoration of Ofielu’s Eco Bank salary account and the registration of his biometric data in the Lagos State offenders’ register. He remains in EFCC custody pending the completion of necessary documentation. The case underscores the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes in Nigeria and serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the rule of law in the country’s financial sector.
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