The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a businessman, Abdulrahman Raji, to 15 years imprisonment for obtaining N26 million under false pretence.
Raji was convicted after collecting N26 million from a petitioner for the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Hilux but failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the money.
The conviction followed his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on an amended two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.
One of the charges reads: “ABDULRAHMAN LAWAL RAJI and ABDULRAHMAN LAWAL (at large), between March 20 and 21, 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the gross sum of N26,000,000 from Olaide Ibidapo by falsely representing that it was the purchase price for a 2022 Toyota Hilux, a representation you knew to be false.”
During his trial before Justice Ismail Ijelu, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read and explained to him in a language he understood.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ebuka Okongwu, called four witnesses and tendered several documents, all of which were admitted as evidence by the court.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently found the defendant guilty as charged.
The court sentenced Raji to 10 years imprisonment on count one and five years imprisonment on count two, with no option of a fine on either count. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Ijelu also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of N26 million to the petitioner.