LAGOS COURT JAILS MAN 15 YEARS FOR N26 MILLION TOYOTA HILUX FRAUD

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a man, Abdulrahman Lawal Raji, to 15 years imprisonment for conspiring and obtaining N26 million under false pretences from a victim in a fraudulent vehicle auction scheme.

Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on June 2, 2026, after finding Raji guilty of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence, offences contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict, alongside an accomplice identified as Abdulrahman Lawal, who remains at large, defrauded the complainant, Olaide Ibidapo, of N26 million under the guise of facilitating the purchase of a Toyota Hilux 2022 model allegedly being auctioned by the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to the prosecution, Raji falsely presented himself as a Customs officer and convinced the victim to part with the money between March 20 and March 21, 2023, claiming it was the purchase price for the vehicle.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, arraigned Raji on a two-count amended charge on November 9, 2023. He pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial.

During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Ebuka Okongwu, called four witnesses and tendered several exhibits, all of which were admitted by the court. The defence, on its part, presented two witnesses.

In his judgment, Justice Ijelu convicted Raji on both counts and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment without the option of a fine on the conspiracy charge and five years imprisonment without the option of a fine on the obtaining by false pretence charge.

The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, effectively resulting in a 15-year jail term.

The judge also directed the convict to restitute the sum of N26 million to the complainant.

The EFCC said the conviction underscores its commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring that fraudsters are brought to justice.