Lagos car dealer arrested for allegedly scamming customers of N39m

By Paul Iyoghojie

A Lagos-based car dealer, Adekeye Adeyemi, 44, has been remanded in custody after being accused of swindling two customers of a combined sum of N39 million under the guise of supplying luxury vehicles.

According to the police, Adeyemi allegedly obtained N14 million from Owolabi Onipede for the purchase of a Lexus RX 350 (2010 model) and a Toyota Camry (2011 model).

He was also accused of collecting N25 million from Seun Segun Adebayo to procure five Mercedes-Benz cars.

Investigators said the dealer failed to deliver any of the vehicles, allegedly diverted the funds for personal use, and went into hiding.

Following petitions to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Adegoke Fayoade, operatives tracked and arrested Adeyemi at a hideout in Lagos.

The suspect was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful conversion.

Prosecuting counsel, ASP Ibrahim Haruna, told the court that the offences occurred in November 2021 at Ojodu, Lagos, stressing that despite collecting the huge sums, Adeyemi neither supplied the cars nor refunded the victims.

The case has sparked renewed warnings from law enforcement against fraudulent car dealership practices in Lagos.