Lagos Court Sentences Railway Driver to 18 Months in Prison for Diverting N7 Million From HabariPay Account
Story: written OkaFOR Joseph October 21,2025
A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has sentenced Christopher Ofielu, a 39-year-old train operator with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, to one year and six months in prison or a fine of N1.5 million, after he pleaded guilty to stealing nearly N7 million from HabariPay Limited.
Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the judgment on Monday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ofielu on a one-count charge of theft.
According to the EFCC, the convict fraudulently transferred N6,995,944 from HabariPay’s account into his Access Bank account in October 2023, exploiting a technical glitch in the company’s system.
Investigations revealed that Ofielu had created a HabariPay Squad account to process the illegal transaction. A petition submitted by the company in September 2023 led to an EFCC probe that uncovered a wider network of unauthorized withdrawals totaling over N900 million, of which the convict benefitted.
During trial, EFCC witness Adams Adze confirmed that the funds were moved in two phases — starting with a small test transfer before the full amount was withdrawn. He also testified that Ofielu admitted to being part of a WhatsApp group involved in similar online thefts.
The prosecution, led by Abubakar Dambuwa, said the offence contravened Section 280(1)(b)(f) and was punishable under Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (2015).
Defence lawyer Mercy Akhabue pleaded for mercy, describing her client as a first-time offender who showed remorse and had begun repayment. She noted that Access Bank had frozen his accounts, including his salary account.
Justice Oshodi, while delivering judgment, ordered the convict to refund the full amount within seven days and directed the EFCC to verify the restitution. He also instructed that Ofielu’s biometric details be included in the Lagos State Offenders’ Database.
The judge ruled:
“You are hereby sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment, effective October 20, 2025, or in the alternative, you shall pay N1.5 million and refund N6,995,944 to HabariPay Limited from your Access Bank account.”
