A 47-year-old car dealer, Olatunji Azeez, was on Tuesday docked in a Dutse Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Sienna worth N3.5 million.
The police charged Azeez who lives in Kagini, Abuja, with criminal breach of trust, cheating, theft, misappropriation and criminal intimidation, contrary to Sections 312, 322, 287, 399 and 97 of the Penal Code Law.
The Prosecution Counsel, John Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Oluseyi Lawal, of Byazhin, Kubwa, reported the matter at the Area Command, Life Camp, in July 14
Okpa said that in September 2025, the defendant introduced himself to Lawal as a car dealer and persuaded her to entrust him with her 2008 Toyota Sienna to help her sell.
He said the vehicle, with registration number ABC 754 XB, was worth N3.5 million.
The prosecutor alleged that Azeez took possession of the vehicle for a test drive and never returned it.
He said the complainant later traced the defendant to his residence in Kagini but did not meet him there.
Okpa further alleged that the defendant threatened to eliminate Lawal if she goes to his residence again.
He told the court that the defendant later claimed to have sold the vehicle to someone, who he claimed had travelled outside Nigeria and refused to disclose the person’s identity.
The prosecutor said the complainant subsequently received a call from a person who claimed to be the buyer, while the vehicle’s documents remained with her.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Defence Counsel , Oriyomi Awojoba, prayed the court to admit his client to bail, citing Sections 158 and 162 of the Act.
He argued that the offence his client was charged with was bailable and that the defendant had a reliable surety.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant might jump bail and that the complainant had waited for a long time to recover her property.
Okpa urged the court to order the defendant to deposit money as security, pursuant to Section 165(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Awojoba also told the court that the vehicle had been recovered and was in police custody.
The complainant, when asked by the court whether she preferred the return of her vehicle or payment of its value, said she would accept either option.
Chief Magistrate Abudullahi Ilelah admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2.5 million, with two reasonable and reliable sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be civil servants and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Nov. 11 for hearing and cross-examination.
