The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned businessman Wilson Opuwei and his company, Dateline Energy Services Ltd., over an alleged $550,000 fraud linked to petroleum product allocations.
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The arraignment took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, according to an EFCC statement. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The EFCC said Opuwei and his company face a four-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. The charges allege that the defendants obtained funds from businessman Prince Donatus Okonkwo by falsely claiming the money was payment for the allocation of 5,000 metric tonnes of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) from the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
- Count one alleges that in April 2011, Opuwei and Dateline Energy Services obtained $500,000 through one Chimaobi Anyast from Okonkwo under the false pretence of payment for 5,000 metric tonnes of DPK.
- Count two alleges they obtained an additional $50,000 under the same false pretence.
Opuwei was first arraigned on May 23, 2011, before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos State High Court. However, the case was later transferred to Justice Abike-Fadipe for a fresh trial. The EFCC explained that the matter had suffered prolonged delays due to the elevation of successive judges and alleged defence delays.
The prosecution, led by Nwandu Ukoha holding for Fadeke Giwa, had closed its case in 2015, but the defence did not open its case, necessitating the trial to restart de novo. Previous judges handling the matter, including Justice Abiru, Justices Onigbagbo, and Lawal Akapo, were subsequently elevated, contributing to delays.
Counsel to the defendant requested that Opuwei continue under his previous bail conditions granted on May 22, 2012. Justice Abike-Fadipe approved the continuation of bail and adjourned the matter to March 19, 30, and 31, as well as April 1 and 2, 2026, for trial.
The EFCC has in recent years pursued numerous business and corporate entities for alleged financial crimes. On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Commission arraigned Sarumi Samusideen Babafemi, MD/CEO of 606 Autors Limited, 606 Music Limited, and Splash Off Entertainment Limited, over an alleged N206 million fraud linked to social media celebrity Ismail Mustapha (Mompha).
Last year, the EFCC also arraigned former NSITF board chairman, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, for alleged involvement in a N1 billion fraud. In July 2025, Abel Egerton Sokari and Zakah Global Investment Limited were arraigned over an alleged €49 million fraud involving First Bank of Nigeria.
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