By Francis Wilfred
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, arraigned businessman Wilson Opuwei and his company, Dateline Energy Services Ltd., before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged $550,000 fraud.According to a press release signed by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Opuwei and his company face a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.
Count one alleges that Opuwei and Dateline Energy Services Ltd., in April 2011, obtained $500,000 from Prince Donatus Okonkwo through an intermediary, Chimaobi Anyast, under the false pretence that the sum represented payment for 5,000 metric tons of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) from the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC). Count two similarly alleges that the duo obtained $50,000 under the same false pretence.
The defendant was previously arraigned on May 23, 2011, before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos State High Court. The case was later transferred to Justice Fadipe for a trial de novo following the elevation and reassignment of judges over the years.Prosecution counsel Nwandu Ukoha, holding brief for Fadeke Giwa, told the court that Opuwei knowingly misrepresented his ability to supply 5,000 metric tons of kerosene to Okonkwo, thereby obtaining a total of $550,000.
Opuwei pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. The prosecution noted that its case had initially been closed in 2015, but the defence failed to open its case, necessitating a restart of the trial. The case has experienced prolonged delays due to the elevation of presiding judges and the defendant’s repeated postponements. Justice Abiru, who first handled the matter, was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2012, after which the case was reassigned through various judges before landing with Justice Fadipe.
Defence counsel reminded the court that Opuwei was granted bail on May 22, 2012, and requested that he be allowed to remain on the same bail conditions.Justice Fadipe approved the continuation of the existing bail and adjourned the trial to March 19, 30, 31, and April 1–2, 2026, for further proceedings.
