EFCC Arraigns Nigerian-American over Alleged $320,000 Vehicle Import Fraud
The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Nigerian-American, Oluwatobi Adegoke, before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, over an alleged vehicle import fraud.
Adegoke was arraigned on Thursday, October 8, 2026, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on a one-count charge bordering on stealing.
According to the EFCC, the defendant was arrested in July 2026 over an alleged cross-border vehicle import fraud involving more than $320,000, equivalent to approximately ₦434.88 million.
Preliminary investigations allegedly linked Adegoke to a syndicate based in the United States that specialised in defrauding Nigerians under the guise of purchasing and importing vehicles from the US.
The commission alleged that while residing in the United States, Adegoke advertised a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, claiming he could purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.
Investigations reportedly revealed that two victims paid a combined sum exceeding $320,000 in connection with the transaction.
However, the charge presented before the court specifically alleged that Adegoke dishonestly converted $680,000 belonging to Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike. The money was allegedly transferred to the bank account of his company, Omosco Auto Sales LLC, for the purchase of a 2022 G-Wagon from a person identified as Mr Robinson.
Adegoke pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Arazeem Adebayo urged the court to adjourn the case for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
Defence counsel Olalekan Abiodun, who had earlier been overruled in his objection to the arraignment, subsequently requested that his client be remanded in EFCC custody pending the filing of a bail application. The court also rejected that request.
Justice Abike-Fadipe consequently ordered that Adegoke be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until January 13, 2027, for trial.
EFCC Arraigns Nigerian-American over Alleged $320,000 Vehicle Import Fraud