A business transaction built on church fellowship has landed a Lagos businessman, Christopher Elendu Enyinnwa, in court over an alleged N30.14 million fraud involving the proposed importation of slippers from China.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Enyinnwa before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, on a four-count charge bordering on fraudulent conversion and obtaining money under false pretences.
The defendant allegedly collected N30,140,000 from a fellow church member, Chidebere Love Okafor, for the supply of slippers from China, but the goods were allegedly never delivered.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Fanen Anum, informed the court that the prosecution was ready for trial, with two witnesses available.
Defence counsel, K.C. Atuenyi, however, sought an adjournment, explaining that he had only prepared for the arraignment.
Justice Abike-Fadipe overruled the request and directed the prosecution to call its first witness.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness, PW1, Okafor Love Chidebere, an employee of Gomac Industry Nigeria Limited, told the court that she knew the defendant through their church.
She said Enyinnwa had informed her that he travelled to China for business and could assist her in purchasing slippers.
“He is my church member. I knew him in church. He told me he buys goods, and I approached him to buy slippers in China for me,” she told the court.
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The witness said she provided a sample of the slippers to the defendant after they discussed the proposed transaction.
Although she initially considered his quotation expensive compared with an offer from another company, she eventually agreed to proceed because of the trust she had in him as a fellow church member.
According to her, the defendant requested an initial deposit of N2 million, which she transferred to his Access Bank account in August 2024.
She further testified that after returning from China, Enyinnwa presented samples of the slippers, which were subsequently amended and returned to him.
The defendant allegedly demanded another N11.923 million to commence production, while a further N15 million was paid as the balance.
However, the witness said the defendant failed to travel back to China as promised, claiming that he was experiencing difficulties with his travel documents.
She told the court that he subsequently requested another N2 million to resolve the alleged documentation problem.
The witness said she and her husband agreed to provide the additional money because they wanted the defendant to return to China and complete the transaction.
She further testified that Enyinnwa eventually travelled to China in February 2025 and later informed them that he had shipped goods, including clothes, promising to provide the shipping documents upon arrival.
The goods, however, allegedly never arrived.
PW1 told the court that their pastor subsequently intervened after she was informed that some of the defendant’s claims were allegedly untrue.
She said church members also intervened, during which the defendant reportedly promised to refund the money.
“He promised to refund the money, but up till now, I have not seen the goods and the money,” she told the court.
During cross-examination, defence counsel requested another date to cross-examine the witness.
Following the proceedings, prosecution counsel urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
Justice Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case to November 26, December 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of trial and ordered that Enyinnwa be remanded in a correctional facility.
