The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, February 9, 2026, arraigned Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe on a two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and stealing to the tune of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Count one reads: “Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe and Philip Otahre Onobrakpe (at large), sometime in 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to defraud Omotayo Olumide Oyebanji and Mr Ernest Adeii of the sum of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira).”
Count two reads: “Otobor Geoffrey Onajefe and Philip Otahre Onobrakpe (at large), sometime in 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to their own use the sum of ₦37,440,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) belonging to Omotayo Olumide Oyebanji.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, T. J. Banjo, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.
The defence counsel, S. Danni, informed the court of a bail application dated February 6, 2026, and filed on the same day. He also stated that the application had been served on the prosecution.
He therefore sought the court’s permission to move the application and requested a short adjournment date at the court’s convenience.
However, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application, stating, “My Lord, though the charge had been filed earlier, the bail application was only served this morning.”
He also informed the court that the prosecution would file a reply on points of law, noting the difficulty previously encountered in securing the defendant’s appearance for arraignment.
After listening to both parties, Justice Dada adjourned the matter until February 26, 2026, for hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
