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The trial of businessman Peter Otomewu and his company, Pebeto Energy Limited, resumed at the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, with fresh testimony from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging a $75,000 petroleum fraud.

Testifying before Justice Mojisola Dada, EFCC operative Felicia Paul, told the court that Otomewu obtained the funds under false pretences, claiming he had access to a vessel, MT AYSU, capable of transshipping petroleum products.

Virgin Forest Energy Limited, relying on this representation, allegedly paid $75,000 in two instalments toward a $100,000 contract.

According to Paul, Otomewu refunded only $25,000 after failing to deliver on the agreement, leaving an outstanding balance of $50,000. EFCC investigations revealed that Pebeto Energy Limited was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission but not with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Further checks showed the vessel MT AYSU was not registered in Nigeria, with a similarly named vessel flagged under Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The EFCC, represented by its counsel, Spiff Owede, charged Otomewu and his firm with obtaining money by false pretences and stealing, offences allegedly committed in 2018. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Justice Dada adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday arraigned a cargo vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, and 10 Filipino nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of conspiracy and unlawful importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

The defendants, Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes, were arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a four-count charge marked FHC/L/1232C/2025.

Prosecuting counsel, Theresa Asuquo, leading Adekunle Onabajo, told the court that the vessel and crew were arrested on November 16, 2025, at GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos, after allegedly importing the cocaine aboard MV Nord Bosporus, which had sailed from Santos, Brazil.

The NDLEA stated that the offences contravene Sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

But the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Despite the plea, the prosecution revealed that both parties had signed a plea bargain agreement pursuant to Section 270(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Counsel for the defendants, Femi Atoyebi (SAN), confirmed the arrangement and requested an adjournment for the hearing.

Justice Faji adjourned the matter until Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for further proceedings on the plea bargain.

According to the charge sheet, MV Nord Bosporus is accused of unlawfully transporting 20 kilograms of cocaine from Santos, Brazil, to Nigeria, while the crew members face charges of conspiracy and unlawful importation of narcotics between October and November 2025.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a 46-year-old man, Taofeek Muraina, to three years in prison for trafficking 141 kilograms of cannabis sativa.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu delivered the judgment after Muraina pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The court, however, granted Muraina an option of a fine, ordering him to pay N3 million instead of serving the jail term.

According to NDLEA prosecutor Juliana O. Negedu, Muraina was arrested on November 13, 2025, at Otto Park, Oyingbo, Lagos Mainland.

He was found with the prohibited substance concealed inside a Toyota Venza (registration number MUS 113 YK, chassis number WV2ZZZTOZPHO19291).

Negedu told the court that the offence contravened Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which criminalises trafficking in narcotic substances.

Muraina admitted guilt when the charge was read. The prosecution presented exhibits, including the seized cannabis and his confessional statements, urging the court to convict him.

Defence counsel Bolanle Kolawole pleaded for leniency, noting Muraina was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record.

Justice Dipeolu, after weighing both submissions, convicted Muraina and imposed the sentence with the fine option.

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•Fixes May 25 for arraignment

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of a businessman, Rolland Oluwasegun Elusoji, over his alleged involvement in a N1.207 billion fraud and money laundering case.

Specifically, the court, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye ordered the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to arrest Elusoji wherever he is found after he repeatedly failed to appear in court to answer to criminal charges filed against him by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.

The arrest order was contained in a warrant marked Form E, which was signed by the judge on February 18, 2026, following an application by the prosecution.

Elusoji was scheduled to appear before the court on the same date for arraignment on charges bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and money laundering involving a total sum of N1,207,000,000.

The charges, filed under suit number FHC/L/583C/2025, were brought by the PSFU against Elusoji and two other defendants identified as Oladejo Funmilayo Grace and Abiola Oluwasegun, who are both said to be at large.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly committed the offences on or before November 30, 2024, in Lagos.

The PSFU alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained the money from Otunba Seye Famojuro under the false pretence of purchasing a vehicle and real estate property on his behalf.

One of the counts specifically alleged that the defendants obtained N270 million from the complainant under the guise of procuring a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63S for him.

Prosecuting counsel, Achi Caleb, told the court that the alleged offences contravene Sections 8(1) and 1(a), punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The prosecution also said the charges violate Section 21(a), punishable under Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Despite the filing of the charges and service of court processes, including service through the defendant’s email address and his lawyer pursuant to an earlier court order made in November 2025, Elusoji has yet to appear before the court to take his plea.

Following his continued absence, Justice Owoeye granted the prosecution’s request and issued the arrest warrant.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25, 2026, for the defendant’s arraignment.

In the amended charge, the prosecution alleged that Elusoji and his co-defendants conspired to obtain about N1.207 billion from Otunba Famojuro by falsely claiming the funds would be used to purchase a vehicle and real estate property.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants knowingly obtained the funds under false pretences and later took possession or control of the money as proceeds of crime.

They were also accused of directly or indirectly acquiring and controlling the alleged proceeds of unlawful acts, contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s anti-fraud and anti-money laundering laws.

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