The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 29-year-old businessman Chizoba Emmanuel Dilo before Justice S. N. Odili of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Onitsha. Dilo faces a two-count charge bordering on the alleged theft of ₦64,000,000 (Sixty-four Million Naira).
The charges are brought under Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 36, Laws of Anambra State, and are punishable under Section 353 (9) of the same Law.
The counts against the defendant include, “That you, Chizoba Emmanuel Dilo, sometime in 2021 in Onitsha… committed a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of ₦34,013,000 (Thirty-four Million, Thirteen Thousand Naira), property of Chinedu Obaino.”
“That you, Chizoba Emmanuel Dilo, sometime in 2021 in Onitsha committed a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of ₦29,987,000 (Twenty-nine Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-seven Thousand Naira), property of Chinedu Obaino.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following the plea, the EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Rotimi Ajobiewe, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
The defense counsel, J. C. Odo, informed the court of a pending bail application, urging the judge to grant his client bail.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the defendant had previously jumped the administrative bail granted to him by the Commission.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Odili granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties.
The sureties must be residents of Onitsha and are required to depose to an affidavit of means. Furthermore, the court bailiff must verify the addresses of the sureties.
The defendant was remanded at a correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions. The matter has been adjourned to May 26, 2026 for trial.
Dilo’s legal troubles began on July 21, 2025, following a petition by Chinedu Obaino, a textile dealer at the Onitsha Main Market.
Obaino alleged that he entrusted the funds to the defendant to purchase stock from China, as Dilo claimed to have reliable sourcing connections there.
According to the petition, after receiving the money in tranches, the defendant failed to deliver the goods. Investigation revealed that Dilo allegedly used the funds to purchase vehicles and build a hotel.
He subsequently relocated and changed his contact details to evade the petitioner.