Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has convicted and sentenced one Bethel Onyedikachi Ukachukwu to two years' imprisonment for defrauding a victim of N500,000 under the false pretence of securing a bid for an auctioned car with the Nigeria Customs Service. The convict was arraigned by the Ekiti Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on three-count amended charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal breach of trust, and dishonestly converting money entrusted to him for a specific purpose.
The charges against Ukachukwu stemmed from an incident on April 15, 2026, when he fraudulently collected the sum of N500,000 from Mr. Kayode Aina Samuel under the pretext that he would use the money to bid for an auction car on his behalf with the Nigeria Customs Service. Count one of the charge reads: "That you, Bethel Onyekachi Ukachukwu, sometimes in 15th April 2026 at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court with intent to defraud and obtain the total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N500,000.00) from one Kayode Aina Samuel under the pretext that you will use the same money to bid for an auction car for him with Nigeria Customs Service which pretext you knew to be false which goes contrary to Section (1) (b) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006." Count two alleged that the defendant dishonestly converted the N500,000 entrusted to him for the specific purpose of purchasing a motor vehicle on behalf of the petitioner, an offence contrary to Section 295(2)(f) and punishable under Section 302(1) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him. Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Saidu Yusuf, called Prosecution Witness 1, Emmanuel Onuminya, and tendered all the exhibits and evidence against the defendant. The court admitted the exhibits as evidence, and the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly. In his plea for leniency, defence counsel, T.A. Salami, informed the court that the convict was remorseful for his actions and had made restitution to the petitioner, urging the court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ogunmoye convicted and sentenced Ukachukwu to two years' imprisonment with an option of a fine in the sum of N150,000. The convict's journey to the Correctional facility began when he falsely presented himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army and fraudulently obtained the sum of N500,000 from the petitioner under the false pretence of securing a vehicle for him. However, he neither delivered the vehicle nor refunded the money. He has since been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the completion of his sentence or the payment of the fine.
The case highlights the growing menace of car auction fraud in Nigeria, where fraudsters often pose as military personnel or Customs officials to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of securing vehicles at discounted auction prices. The convict's impersonation of a military officer added a layer of credibility to his scheme, making it easier for him to gain the trust of his victim. The EFCC's prosecution of the case underscores the agency's commitment to tackling advance fee fraud and other financial crimes, which have continued to plague the country's economic landscape.
The conviction also serves as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar fraudulent activities. The EFCC has consistently warned members of the public to be wary of individuals who promise to secure government auctioned items, as such offers are often scams designed to defraud unsuspecting citizens. The agency has urged the public to verify the authenticity of such claims through official channels and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest EFCC office.
The Ekiti Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has been active in prosecuting financial crimes in the state, with several convictions recorded in recent months. The agency has intensified its efforts to rid the state of economic and financial crimes, working closely with other law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The conviction of Bethel Onyedikachi Ukachukwu is a testament to the EFCC's determination to protect the public from fraudsters and to ensure that justice is served.
As the convict begins his sentence at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, the case serves as a reminder that crime does not pay and that those who engage in fraudulent activities will face the full wrath of the law. The EFCC has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its fight against economic and financial crimes, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
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