Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen | Stone Reporter News
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 20, 2025, convicted and sentenced Christopher Ekene Ofielu, a 39-year-old driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to 18 months imprisonment for the theft of N6,995,944.
Ofielu, who faced a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and possession, pleaded guilty to the offences when arraigned. One of the charges detailed that he had exploited a system glitch to transfer nearly N7 million from a HabariPay Squad account into his personal Access Bank account.
During proceedings, EFCC investigator Adams Adze presented evidence following a petition filed by HabariPay Ltd on September 26, 2023, confirming the unauthorized transfer. The prosecution highlighted a plea bargain arrangement with the defendant, urging the court to convict him accordingly.
In his defense, counsel Mercy Akhabue pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that Ofielu was remorseful and a first-time offender.
After considering both parties, Justice Oshodi convicted Ofielu on the count of stealing and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, effective from October 20, 2025. The court also provided an option for the convict to pay a fine of ₦1.5 million if he fully restitutes the stolen funds to HabariPay Ltd within seven days. Failure to do so would result in the jail term being enforced.
Additionally, 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. The convict was remanded in EFCC custody pending the completion of necessary legal formalities.
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