The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Chukwuka Samuel Onovo before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly stealing N42 million belonging to a client.
Onovo was arraigned on Thursday, July 31, 2025, on a one-count charge of stealing proceeds from the sale of four imported vehicles entrusted to him by a petitioner, Cajetan Alinnor.
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According to the EFCC, Alinnor alleged that in 2022, Onovo introduced himself as an auto dealer and was given four vehicles to help sell: a 2009 Toyota Highlander SUV, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300, a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, and a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300.
As part of the agreement, Onovo was required to obtain Alinnor’s consent before concluding any deal, and all payments from buyers were to be made directly to the petitioner. Onovo was only to receive his commission afterward.
However, the petitioner said Onovo failed to sell the vehicles for over a year and later became evasive when asked about them. Investigations later revealed that Onovo had sold all four vehicles without Alinnor’s knowledge and kept the entire proceeds, using the money to build a duplex at 42 John Okorie Street, off Wilmer Crescent, Olodi-Apapa, in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun area of Lagos, where he currently lives with his wife.
The EFCC filed a charge against him which 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.”
Onovo pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, A.A. Usman, applied for a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in custody.
Justice Mojisola Dada granted the application and ordered that Onovo be remanded in a correctional facility. The matter was adjourned to October 30, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
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The Niger State Police Command has arrested 24 suspects in connection with thuggery, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and dangerous weapons during a sting operation carried out in the Maitumbi area of Minna, the state capital.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, July 30, 2025, between 3:00 am and 5:30 am, targeting locations notorious for criminal activities.
