A Lagos State High Court has sentenced Abdulrahman Lawal Raji to 15 years imprisonment for defrauding a buyer of N26 million under false pretences, claiming he would supply a 2022 Toyota Hilux vehicle. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, by Justice Ismail Ijelu, who found Raji guilty of obtaining money by false pretence. The case, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stemmed from a fraudulent transaction that took place in Lagos between March 20 and March 21, 2023.
Raji was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on November 9, 2023, on an amended two-count charge. According to the EFCC, he collected N26 million from Olaide Ibidapo, a petitioner, for the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Hilux but failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the money. The prosecution alleged that Raji knowingly made false representations to deceive the buyer, with the intent to defraud. One of the charges explicitly stated that Raji obtained the sum of N26,000,000 from Ibidapo by falsely claiming it was for a Toyota Hilux, a claim he knew to be untrue.
At the arraignment, Raji pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the trial, prosecution counsel Ebuka Okongwu presented four witnesses and submitted several documents that were admitted as exhibits by the court. The defence, in turn, called two witnesses to support its case. Despite the defence’s efforts, Justice Ijelu ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced Raji to 10 years imprisonment for the first count and five years for the second count, with both sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered Raji to restitute the full amount of N26 million to the victim, Olaide Ibidapo. The conviction was based on Raji’s failure to deliver the vehicle after receiving payment and his refusal to return the money, which the court found to be a clear act of fraud.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Nigerian law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes and protect citizens from scams. The EFCC’s role in bringing Raji to justice underscores the importance of accountability in financial transactions. As fraud cases continue to rise, this judgment serves as a warning to those who exploit others for personal gain. The outcome reinforces public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to deliver justice in economic crime cases.
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