The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Nigerian-American, Oluwatobi Adegoke, before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos State, over an alleged vehicle import fraud.

Adegoke was arraigned on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by the commission’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on a one-count charge bordering on stealing.

The defendant was reportedly arrested in July 2026 over an alleged cross-border vehicle import scam involving more than $320,000, equivalent to approximately ₦434.88 million.

Preliminary investigations allegedly linked him to a United States-based syndicate accused of defrauding Nigerians under the guise of purchasing and shipping vehicles from America.

Investigators said Adegoke, while residing in the United States, allegedly advertised photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, claiming he could purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.

According to the commission, two alleged victims paid a combined sum exceeding $320,000 in connection with the transaction.

However, the charge filed against Adegoke referred to a separate alleged incident in December 2024 involving $680,000 belonging to Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike.

The charge alleged that Adegoke dishonestly converted the money, which was transferred to the bank account of his company, Omosco Auto Sales LLC, for the purchase of a 2022 G-Wagon from an individual identified as Robinson.

Adegoke pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Arazeem Adebayo, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

Defence counsel, Olalekan Abiodun, had earlier raised an objection to the arraignment, which the court overruled. His subsequent request for the defendant to remain in EFCC custody pending the filing of a bail application was also rejected.

Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently ordered that Adegoke be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.

The court adjourned the case until January 13, 2027, for trial.