The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Nigerian-American, Oluwatobi Adegoke, before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Lagos State, on a one-count charge bordering on stealing.

A statement by the Ilorin zonal directorate of the commission on Monday said Mr Adegoke was arraigned last Thursday, noting he was arrested for an alleged cross-border vehicle import fraud involving more than $320,000, approximately N434.88 million.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the defendant allegedly belonged to a syndicate based in the United States that specialised in defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of purchasing and importing vehicles from the US,” the EFCC stated.

According to the commission, further investigation revealed that while residing in the U.S., Mr Adegoke allegedly advertised and circulated photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, claiming that he could purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.

“The investigation further established that two victims allegedly paid a combined sum of more than $320,000 (over N434.88 million) in connection with the transaction,” it added.

Mr Adegoke was charged for dishonestly converting the sum of $680,000 property of Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike to his own use after it was transferred to the bank account of his company Omosco Auto Sales LLC for purchase of 2022 G Wagon from Mr Robinson

Mr Adegoke, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

EFCC counsel, Arazeem Adebayo, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional Centre.

Consequently, Justice Abike-Fadipe ordered that Mr Adegoke be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till January 13, 2027, for trial.