EFCC Arrests Auto Dealer For Alleged N42M Theft
By Felix Kuyinu
An motor dealer, Chukwuka Onovo has been arrested by the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for over accusations of stealing the sum of N42 million.
Onovo was said to have diverted the sum made from the sale of for imported cars to his use, as disclosed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 02 of the EFCC, at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos, where he was arraigned for trial.
The anti-graft agency told the Presiding Judge, Mojisola Dada, that the petitioner, one Cajetan Alinnor, said that the suspect presented himself as an auto dealer sometime in 2022 and was entrusted with four vehicles: a 2009 Toyota Highlander SUV, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300, a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, and a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 to facilitate their sale.
The Commission mentioned that an agreement was made by the duo that Onovo must seek the petitioner’s consent before finalizing any transaction and that all payments from buyers were to be made directly to the petitioner, who would then pay Onovo his commission.
However, Onovo, who is facing a one count charge of stealing, allegedly failed to sell the vehicles for over a year and became evasive when questioned about their whereabouts. Subsequent investigations revealed that he had sold all four vehicles without notifying the owner and diverted the entire proceed towards building a duplex at 42 John Okorie Street, off Wilmer Crescent, Olodi-Apapa, in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos, where he reportedly resides with his wife.
The one count charge against Onovo reads: “That 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. (forty-two million naira), being proceeds from the sale of four vehicles belonging to Cajetan Alinnor, thereby committing an offence of stealing contrary to and punishable under Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
Be pleaded not guilty.
Following his non-guilty plea, the prosecution prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
Justice Dada ordered Onovo’s remand at a correctional centre and adjourned the case until October 30.
