A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Abdulrahman Lawal Raji to 15 years imprisonment for defrauding a victim of N26 million under the guise of procuring a Toyota Hilux vehicle.
Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Raji was arraigned on November 9, 2023, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on an amended two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, Raji and another suspect identified as Abdulrahman Lawal, who remains at large, fraudulently obtained N26 million from one Olaide Ibidapo between March 20 and 21, 2023. The defendants allegedly represented that the money was meant as payment for a 2022 Toyota Hilux vehicle, a claim they knew to be false.
One of the charges stated that the defendants, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum by falsely claiming it was the purchase price of the vehicle.
Raji pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, Ebuka Okongwu, called four witnesses and tendered several documents, all of which were admitted as exhibits by the court. The defence, on its part, presented two witnesses in support of its case.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the evidence presented by the prosecution established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, he 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 on either count. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Ijelu also ordered Raji to make restitution of the N26 million obtained from the complainant.
The EFCC disclosed that Raji collected the money from the petitioner for the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Hilux but failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the payment, leading to his prosecution and eventual conviction.
