The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Nigerian-American, Oluwatobi Adegoke, over an alleged vehicle import fraud involving greater than $320,000.
Mr Adegoke was arraigned on 8 October earlier than trial choose Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on one counts of stealing.
He denied EFCC’s allegations, by pleading not responsible to the cost.
According to a press release on Monday by EFCC, the company arrested him in July over allegations that he was concerned in a syndicate working from the United States.
The fee alleged that Mr Adegoke marketed a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to potential consumers in Nigeria whereas dwelling within the US, claiming he might buy and ship the vehicle to them. Two alleged victims allegedly paid a mixed sum of greater than $320,000.
The EFCC earlier announced his arrest in June, figuring out him as Adegoke Oluwatobi Adams. Reports on the time stated Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike allegedly paid $145,000 via an middleman, whereas Godson Azubuike Amans allegedly paid $175,000 in the direction of the vehicle buy.
However, the cost learn in court docket refers to $680,000 allegedly belonging to Mr Ifeabunike.
It accused Mr Adegoke of dishonestly changing the cash after it was transferred to the account of his firm, Omosco Auto Sales LLC, for the acquisition of a 2022 G-Wagon from an individual recognized as Mr Robinson.
The EFCC’s assertion didn’t clarify the distinction between the $320,000 cited in its account of the alleged fraud and the $680,000 said within the cost. It additionally didn’t reconcile the totally different vehicle fashions talked about.
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After the defendant entered his plea, EFCC lawyer, Arazeem Adebayo, requested the court docket to remand him in a correctional centre and repair a date for trial.
Defence lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, requested that his shopper be saved in EFCC custody pending the submitting of a bail utility. The fee stated the court docket rejected the request.
Mrs Abike-Fadipe ordered that Mr Adegoke be remanded on the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
She adjourned the case till 13 January 2027 for trial.
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