The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, July 31, 2025, arraigned one Chukwuka Samuel Onovo before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja. He is facing a one-count charge of stealing to the tune of ₦42 million.
According to the EFCC, the charge stems from a petition filed by a complainant who alleged that he engaged Onovo—who presented himself as an auto dealer—to sell four imported vehicles on his behalf in 2022. The vehicles included a 2009 Toyota Highlander (Chassis No. JTEDS42A682067092), a 2015 Mercedes‑Benz C 300 (Chassis No. 55SWF4KB7FU008491), a 2016 Mercedes‑Benz C 300, and a 2010 Mercedes‑Benz C 300.
Under the agreed terms, Onovo was required to notify the petitioner of any purchase offers for approval and ensure that payments were made directly to the petitioner, from which Onovo would receive a commission.
However, Onovo allegedly failed to sell the vehicles within a year and became evasive regarding their whereabouts.
A private investigation later revealed that he had sold all four cars without the petitioner’s knowledge and diverted the proceeds—allegedly amounting to ₦42 million—towards the construction of a duplex located at 42 John Okorie Street, off Wilmer Crescent, Olodi-Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos. Onovo is said to now reside in the property with his wife.
The charge reads:
“You, Chukwuka Samuel Onovo, sometime within January and December 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with a dishonest intent, stole and converted to your own use the sum of ₦42,000,000.00 (Forty-Two Million Naira), being 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.”
