EFCC Arraigns Car Dealer for Alleged N42m Vehicle Sale Fraud in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Chukwuka Samuel Onovo, an auto dealer, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly stealing N42million from the sale of four vehicles entrusted to him by a client.

Onovo was brought before the court on Thursday, July 31, 2025, on a one-count charge of stealing, following a petition by Cajetan Alinnor. According to the petition, Alinnor engaged Onovo’s services in 2022 to sell four imported vehicles: a 2009 Toyota Highlander SUV, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300, a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, and a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The agreement stipulated that Onovo would sell the cars, notify Alinnor of any offers for approval, and ensure that all payments went directly to Alinnor, who would then pay Onovo a commission.

Contrary to the agreement, Onovo allegedly failed to provide updates on the sales, refused to disclose the whereabouts of the vehicles, and became evasive when approached by Alinnor. Investigations revealed that Onovo had already registered and sold all four vehicles without Alinnor’s approval, diverting the entire proceeds of N42million towards constructing a duplex at 42, John Okorie Street, Off Wilmer Crescent, Olodi-Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos State, where he now resides with his wife.

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The charge read in part: “You, Chukwuka Samuel Onovo, sometime between January and December 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with dishonest intent, stole and converted to your own use the sum of N42,000,000.00, being the proceeds of the sale of four vehicles, property of Cajetan Alinnor, thereby committed an offence of stealing contrary to and punishable under Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

Onovo pleaded not guilty to the charge. EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, A.A. Usman, requested the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre and set a trial date. Justice Dada granted the request, ordering Onovo’s remand and adjourning the case to October 30, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.