ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Benin Zonal Directorate arraigned Evangeline Atanda Ibadha, the former manager of JustProtein Supermarket in Benin City, Edo State, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Ibadha faces a five-count charge of stealing by conversion and diversion of funds totaling N547,307,016 (Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Seven Thousand, Sixteen Naira).
One of the counts alleges that on November 1, 2022, Ibadha “indirectly took possession and control of N10,005,000 paid into her Eco Bank account No. 4990092639, which she knew or reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of her unlawful act, stealing by conversion, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
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Another count states that between January 2018 and January 2025, Ibadha “indirectly took possession and control of N319,335,216 paid into her First Bank account No. 3007525066, which she knew or reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of her unlawful act, stealing by conversion, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Upon arraignment, Ibadha pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, requested the court to remand her at the Correctional Service and fix a trial date. Defence counsel, Evans Ogbeifun, requested interim bail for the defendant pending determination of the bail application.
Justice Obiozor adjourned the case to December 8, 2025, for hearing of the bail application.