The suspect was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two -count charge bordering on stealing.
Our correspondent gathered that the matter began on July 21, 2025, when a petitioner, Chinedu Obaino, a fashion and textile materials dealer in Main Market, Onitsha, alleged that he gave the said money to the defendant to purchase stocks for him in China, having claimed to have a reliable source there.
The petitioner claimed that after paying the money in tranches, the defendant failed to make the purchase and instead bought cars and built a hotel during the period he received the money.
He said all efforts made to recover the money proved abortive, as the defendant relocated from his known address and changed his phone number.
The two-count charge preferred against the defendant by the EFCC is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 36, Law of Anambra State, and punishable under Section 353(9) of the same Law.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Chizoba Emmanuel Dilo, sometime in 2021 in Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of Anambra State High Court of Nigeria, committed a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use, the sum of N34, 013, 000. 00 (Thirty-four million, Thirteen Thousand Naira only), property of Chinedu Obaino, and thereby committed an offense”.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Chizoba Emmanuel Dilo, sometime in 2021 in Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of Anambra State High Court of Nigeria, committed a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use, the sum of N29, 987, 000. 00 (Twenty-Nine million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand Naira only), property of Chinedu Obaino, and thereby committed an offense”.
During the court session, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of the plea, the counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Ajobiewe, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional facility.
However, the defense counsel, J. C. Odo, informed the court about his client’s bail application and prayed for its favorable consideration.
Opposing the bail application, the prosecution noted that the defendant had previously jumped the administrative bail granted him by the Commission.
After listening to both sides, Justice Odili granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties resident in Onitsha, who must depose to an affidavit of means and whose addresses must be verified by the bailiff of the court.
The defendant was thereafter remanded at the Correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions, and the matter was adjourned to May 26, 2026, for trial.
