A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a man, Abdulrahman Lawal Raji, to 15 years imprisonment for defrauding a victim of N26 million under the guise of procuring a Toyota Hilux vehicle.
Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, convicting Raji on charges of obtaining money by false pretence following his prosecution by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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Raji was arraigned on November 9, 2023, on an amended two-count charge bordering on fraud. According to the EFCC, the convict and another suspect identified as Abdulrahman Lawal, who is currently at large, fraudulently obtained N26 million from one Olaide Ibidapo between March 20 and 21, 2023.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the defendants falsely represented the money as payment for a 2022 Toyota Hilux vehicle, a claim they knew to be untrue.
Raji pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting a full trial.
During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Ebuka Okongwu, presented four witnesses and tendered several documents admitted as exhibits. The defence, on its part, called two witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty as charged.
The court sentenced Raji to 10 years imprisonment on count one and five years imprisonment on count two, without the option of a fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered Raji to restitute the sum of N26 million to the complainant.
According to the EFCC, the convict collected the money from the victim for the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Hilux but failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the money, leading to his prosecution and eventual conviction.
