The Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced Bethel Onyedikachi Ukachukwu to two years imprisonment for defrauding a resident of N500,000 under the guise of securing a Nigeria Customs Service auction vehicle. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye delivered the judgment on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after convicting Ukachukwu on charges of obtaining by false pretence.
EFCC Prosecution and Charges
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ekiti Zonal Directorate, arraigned the defendant on an amended three-count charge. The convict had falsely posed as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army and collected N500,000 from the petitioner, Mr Kayode Aina, promising to secure a Nigeria Customs Service auction vehicle. However, he neither delivered the vehicle nor refunded the money.
One of the charges 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."
Another count read: "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."
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges. Following the plea, prosecution counsel Saidu Yusuf called the first prosecution witness, Emmanuel Onuminya, tendered exhibits and other evidence before the court, and urged the court to convict the defendant. Defence counsel, T.A. Salami, pleaded for leniency, telling the court that the convict was remorseful and had refunded the petitioner.
Justice Ogunmoye thereafter sentenced Ukachukwu to two years imprisonment, with an option of a N150,000 fine. He has since been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre.
