The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned businessman Wilson Opuwei before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged $550,000 fraud linked to a failed kerosene supply deal.
Opuwei is standing trial alongside his firm, Dateline Energy Services Limited, on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences and stealing. Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe.
The case, which dates back to 2011, was initially heard by Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos State High Court, now a Justice of the Supreme Court. Following multiple judicial transfers over the years, the matter has now been reassigned to Justice Fadipe, who ordered a fresh trial to commence.
Prosecuting counsel, Nwandu Ukoha, appearing for Fadeke Giwa, told the court that Opuwei allegedly collected $550,000 from a businessman, Prince Donatus, in April 2011. The funds were said to have been obtained under the false claim that Opuwei would supply 5,000 metric tonnes of kerosene sourced from the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC)—a representation the prosecution said was knowingly untrue.
Ukoha further informed the court that the prosecution had closed its case about nine years ago, but the defendant failed to open his defence, necessitating a restart of the trial. However, defence counsel countered this claim, insisting that the defence had already commenced its case five years earlier.
The prolonged legal battle has seen the case pass through several judges, including Justices Onigbajo and Lawal Akapo, both of whom were elevated to the Court of Appeal during the proceedings.
At the hearing, defence counsel reminded the court that Opuwei was granted bail on May 22, 2012, and urged Justice Fadipe to allow the defendant to remain on the same bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Fadipe upheld the existing bail granted to the first defendant and adjourned the case to March 19, 30 and 31, as well as April 1 and 2, 2026, for continuation of trial.