Lagos High Court Jails Man 15 Years for N26m Toyota Hilux Fraud
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 pretext of purchasing a 2022 Toyota Hilux vehicle.
Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after finding Raji guilty of obtaining money by false pretence in a case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Raji was arraigned by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 on November 9, 2023, on an amended two-count charge bordering on fraud.
According to the anti-graft agency, the convict and an accomplice still at large obtained N26 million from one Olaide Ibidapo in March 2023 by falsely claiming the money was meant for the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Hilux.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting a full trial.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Ebuka Okongwu, presented four witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted as evidence by the court. The defence, however, called two witnesses in support of its case.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Raji on both counts.
The court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on count one and five years imprisonment on count two, with no option of a fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered Raji to restitute the sum of N26 million to the victim.
The EFCC said Raji received the money from the petitioner for the purchase of a Toyota Hilux vehicle but failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the money, leading to criminal proceedings and his eventual conviction.
