Lagos court jails NRC driver for ₦6.9m HabariPay fraud, offering an option of fine with full restitution

Christopher Ekene Ofielu theft has once again spotlighted the swift hand of justice in Lagos as the Special Offences Court in Ikeja sentenced the 39-year-old Nigerian Railway Corporation driver to 18 months’ imprisonment for diverting ₦6.9 million belonging to HabariPay Ltd.

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Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the judgment on Monday, October 20, 2025, after Ofielu pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful possession brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court heard that Ofielu used a Habaripay Squad account, allegedly created for criminal activity, to transfer ₦6,995,944 into his Access Bank account (No. 14864072356), property of HabariPay Ltd.

According to EFCC investigator Adams Adze, the offence came to light after HabariPay Ltd petitioned the Commission on September 26, 2023, accusing Ofielu of exploiting a system glitch to withdraw funds illegally.

Prosecution counsel Abubakar Dambuwa presented evidence of the theft and confirmed that the defendant had entered into a plea bargain, urging the court to convict accordingly.

In a plea for mercy, defence counsel Mercy Akhabue described Ofielu as remorseful and a first-time offender, appealing for leniency.

After considering both sides, Justice Oshodi convicted the defendant and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, with an option of a ₦1.5 million fine on the condition that he fully restitutes ₦6,995,944 to HabariPay Ltd within seven days from his Access Bank account.

Failure to comply, the court warned, would activate the prison term.

The court also directed the restoration of the convict’s Eco Bank salary account and ordered that his biometric data be registered in the Lagos State offenders’ register.

Justice Oshodi further ruled that Ofielu be remanded in EFCC custody pending the completion of documentation.

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The Christopher Ekene Ofielu theft case underscores the Lagos judiciary’s commitment to accountability and the fight against financial crime, sending a powerful message that digital fraud will not go unpunished.