Court Jails Fake Army Officer Two Years for N500,000 Car Auction Fraud

The Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has convicted and sentenced a fraudster, Bethel Onyedikachi Ukachukwu, to two years imprisonment for defrauding a victim of N500,000 under the guise of securing a Nigeria Customs Service auctioned vehicle.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed the conviction in a statement shared on its official X handle on Monday, August 3.

According to the anti-graft agency, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye delivered the judgment on July 28 after Ukachukwu was prosecuted by the EFCC’s Ekiti Zonal Directorate on a three-count amended charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

The Commission said the convict fraudulently collected N500,000 from Kayode Aina Samuel after claiming he could secure an auctioned vehicle through the Nigeria Customs Service.

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One of the charges against him read: “That you, Bethel Onyekachi Ukachukwu, sometime on 15th April 2026 at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the total sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N500,000.00) from one Kayode Aina Samuel under the pretence 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…”

Another count accused the defendant of dishonestly converting the N500,000 entrusted to him for the purchase of a vehicle to his personal use, contrary to the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

The EFCC said Ukachukwu pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Saidu Yusuf, to call a witness, Emmanuel Onuminya, and tender documentary evidence before the court.

Following the admission of the exhibits, the prosecution urged the court to convict the defendant.

Counsel to the defendant, T.A. Salami, pleaded for leniency, telling the court that his client was remorseful and had refunded the money to the complainant.

Justice Ogunmoye subsequently convicted Ukachukwu and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of a N150,000 fine.

The EFCC further revealed that the convict had falsely presented himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army to convince the victim to part with the money.

According to the Commission, he neither procured the promised vehicle nor refunded the money until his prosecution.

The anti-graft agency added that the convict has been remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre.