The arraignment of businessman Ifeanyi Nweke, Chief Executive Officer of Fieldreams Limited, was once again stalled on Friday before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, following his repeated failure to appear in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prosecuting the case, accused Nweke of jumping administrative bail granted to him earlier and deliberately evading trial.
“This is not the first time the defendant has failed to show up,” said EFCC counsel, Franklin Ofoma. “He has refused to honour repeated invitations and has absconded after being granted bail. We believe he is deliberately avoiding prosecution.”
Nweke and his company, Fieldreams Limited, face a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, obtaining money under false pretence, and unlawful retention of stolen funds.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2021 to defraud one Gbbolahan Odutayo of over ₦132 million, and unlawfully retained proceeds of the alleged fraud — including a separate sum of ₦1.12 billion obtained under false pretences.The charges include:
Count 1: Conspiracy to steal, in contravention of Section 411 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count 2: Obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Counts 3 & 4: Unlawful retention of ₦132.3 million and ₦1.12 billion, respectively, violating Section 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
With the defendant still at large, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025, for arraignment and plea.
The EFCC has indicated it may seek a bench warrant for Nweke’s arrest if he fails to appear on the next date.
Reporting by Wahab Akinlade