N6.9m fraud lands train driver in Lagos jail

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced a Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) driver, Christopher Ekene Ofielu, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N6.9 million from fintech firm, HabariPay Ltd.

The 39-year-old was convicted on Monday, October 20, 2025, after pleading guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful possession of funds totaling ₦6,995,944.

According to court documents, Ofielu exploited a system glitch in October 2023 to transfer the funds from a Habaripay Squad account into his Access Bank account (No. 14864072356), which was flagged as suspicious by the company.

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Following a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on September 26, 2023, the defendant was arrested. EFCC investigator, Adams Adze, told the court that Ofielu had created the Habaripay account specifically for fraudulent activity.

Prosecution counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, informed the court of a plea bargain entered into by the defendant and urged the court to convict him accordingly. Defence counsel, Mercy Akhabue, pleaded for leniency, describing Ofielu as remorseful and a first-time offender.

Justice Oshodi sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment but granted an option of a ₦1.5 million fine, provided he restitutes the stolen sum in full to HabariPay Ltd within seven days. Failure to do so would activate the jail term.

The court also ordered the restoration of Ofielu’s Eco Bank salary account and directed that his biometric data be entered into the Lagos State offenders’ register. He is to remain in EFCC custody pending the completion of documentation.

N6.9m fraud lands train driver in Lagos jail