Alleged $320,000 Vehicle Import Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Nigerian-American

The alleged diversion of funds meant for the importation of luxury vehicles has come under judicial scrutiny, following the arraignment of a Nigerian-American, Oluwatobi Adegoke, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate.

Adegoke was arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, over an alleged vehicle import fraud involving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The defendant is facing a one-count charge of stealing and dishonest conversion under Sections 278(1)(b) and 285(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

According to the charge sheet, Adegoke allegedly converted 680,000 dollars transferred to his company, Omosco Auto Sales LLC, by Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike in December 2024 for the purchase of a 2022 G-Wagon.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant, while residing in the United States, advertised photographs of a luxury 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG and collected more than 320,000 dollars from two victims under the pretext of procuring and importing the vehicle.

Investigations reportedly linked Adegoke to a United States-based syndicate allegedly involved in defrauding prospective Nigerian vehicle buyers.

He was arrested in July 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his plea, EFCC prosecution counsel, Arazeem Adebayo, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in custody, as defence counsel, Olalekan Abiodun, initially objected to the arraignment, but the court overruled the objection.

The defence counsel subsequently asked the court to allow the defendant to remain in EFCC custody pending the filing of a formal bail application.

Justice Abike-Fadipe rejected the request and ordered that Adegoke be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, and the case was adjourned until January 13, 2027, for the commencement of trial.