Jun 2, 2026

Lagos Court Hands 15-Year Term to N26 Million Car Fraud Convict

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Ikeja, Nigeria — A Lagos State High Court on Tuesday sentenced Abdulrahman Lawal Raji to 15 years in prison for defrauding a victim of N26 million in a phony Toyota Hilux deal, delivering a stern blow to fraudsters preying on vehicle buyers in Nigeria’s bustling auto market.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, presiding over the court in Ikeja, convicted Raji after a full trial and ordered him to repay the full N26 million to the petitioner, Olaide Ibidapo.

The sentences — 10 years on the first count and five years on the second — will run concurrently, with no option of a fine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Raji on Nov. 9, 2023, on an amended two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

Prosecutors alleged that between March 20 and 21, 2023, Raji and an accomplice still at large tricked Ibidapo into parting with N26 million by claiming it was the purchase price for a 2022 Toyota Hilux.

Raji pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for a trial that stretched over two years. The EFCC called four witnesses and presented key documents, which the court admitted into evidence. The defense summoned two witnesses in response.

In his judgment, Justice Ijelu ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He described the transaction as a classic case of deceit in which Raji collected the substantial sum but delivered neither the vehicle nor a refund.

“Raji bagged his imprisonment when he collected the sum of N26 million from a petitioner for the purchase of a Toyota 2022 Hilux car,” court records noted. The convict never fulfilled his side of the bargain.

The case highlights a persistent pattern of vehicle-related scams in Lagos, where fraudsters exploit demand for popular models like the Toyota Hilux by posing as customs officers or legitimate dealers offering auctioned or discounted vehicles.

Such schemes often target business owners and individuals seeking reliable transport for commercial use.

EFCC prosecutors, led by Ebuka Okongwu during the proceedings, emphasized how the false representation caused significant financial harm to the victim.

The agency has intensified efforts against similar advance-fee frauds involving luxury and commercial vehicles across Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Raji’s conviction adds to a growing list of successful prosecutions by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC before Justice Ijelu, who has handled multiple high-profile economic crime cases in recent months.

Legal observers say the concurrent sentencing, combined with full restitution, sends a clear message that economic predators will face both lengthy incarceration and financial consequences.

As of Tuesday evening, neither Raji nor his legal team had indicated plans to appeal the judgment.

The EFCC described the outcome as another victory in its mandate to sanitize the business environment and protect citizens from sophisticated scams.

This case serves as a cautionary tale for potential car buyers: always verify sellers, conduct due diligence on transactions, and avoid unusually attractive deals that sound too good to be true.

Nigerian authorities continue to warn the public amid rising reports of auto-related frauds exploiting economic pressures.