Justice Lekan Ogunmoye of the Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has convicted and sentenced Bethel Onyedikachi Ukachukwu to two years imprisonment for car auction fraud. The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on three-count amended charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence.
Details of the Fraud
Ukachukwu fraudulently collected the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) from Mr. Kayode Aina Samuel under the pretext that he would secure a bid for an auctioned car with the Nigeria Customs Service. The fraud occurred on April 15, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The first count read: "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."
The second count stated: "That Bethel Onyekachi Ukachukwu on or about the 15th day of April 2026 at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, did dishonestly convert to your own use the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N500,000.00) being the property of Mr. Kayode Aina Samuel which was entrusted to you for the specific purpose of purchasing a motor vehicle on his behalf and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 295 (2)(f) and punishable under section 302 (1) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021."
Court Proceedings and Conviction
Following the defendant's guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Saidu Yusuf, called the first prosecution witness, Emmanuel Onuminya, and tendered all exhibits and evidence against the defendant. The court admitted the exhibits as evidence. The prosecution counsel then prayed the court to convict the defendant accordingly.
In his plea for leniency, the defense counsel, T.A. Salami, informed the court that the convict was remorseful for his actions and had made restitution to the petitioner. He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Justice Ogunmoye convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine in the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00).
Background of the Crime
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 N500,000.00 from the petitioner under the false pretence of securing a vehicle for him. He neither delivered the vehicle nor refunded the money.
He has since been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre. The case highlights the efforts of the EFCC in combating financial crimes and ensuring that fraudsters face justice.
