EFCC arraigns ex-convict over N12m theft in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned an ex-convict, Oluokun Gabriel Adekola, before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged N12 million theft.

Adekola was brought before Justice Rahman Oshodi by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the anti-graft agency on a one-count amended charge bordering on stealing.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly collaborated with others still at large in 2025 to conceal and disguise the origin of N12 million that was transferred into his bank account.

The EFCC alleged that the money, which formed part of N3.09 billion fraudulently withdrawn from accounts domiciled with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), was converted to cash through Point of Sale (POS) agents after being obtained through unauthorised access to the bank’s mobile banking platforms.

The charge stated that the offence was committed within the jurisdiction of the court in Lagos.

When the charge was read to him, Adekola pleaded guilty.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir and E.S. Okongwu requested a date for the review of facts and sentencing. They also asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned the case until March 17, 2026, for the review of facts and sentencing, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.

The EFCC disclosed that Adekola had previously been convicted on July 23, 2020, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for defrauding a Taiwanese national of $22,300.