The running court battle involving luxury vehicle merchant, Coscharis, and an Abuja-based socialite (name withheld) has taken a dramatic twist following revelation that the subject of dispute, a Range Rover Sport, was allegedly paid for by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State.
Fayemi’s second term ended in 2022. Ekiti, mostly agrarian, is regarded as one of the “poorest” states in the country.
The sensational revelation was made by Igbo Interest Group (IIG), a non-governmental organisation, which prides itself as a whistle-blower for public accountability.
The back story to the court case was given in a statement by IIG, signed by its Executive Director, Mazi Livinus Achebe, decrying what it described as an attempt to cripple the business of a great Igbo son, Chief Cosmas Maduka.
“We appreciate that Fayemi chose to patronise Coscharis in August 2024 by buying the Range Rover worth N260m for his girlfriend. But what we will not accept is an attempt to bankrupt Maduka over this transaction,” said Achebe.
Dr. Fayemi could not be reached for reaction before going to press as repeated calls to his cellphone were not answered.
Shedding more light on the transaction, Achebe stated that the lady personally took delivery of the SUV in August 2024 and drove it for a while only to return to Coscharis to complain that the car was giving her some issues.
“Coscharis took back the car for maintenance and even gave her a spare vehicle to use pending when the repair would be completed. When the repairs were completed and certified to be in order, she collected the vehicle and after a while she came back again and said Coscharis must not just give her a brand new SUV as replacement but that it must also be a 2025 model,” said Achebe.
The matter eventually ended up with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, following a petition written by the lady.
“As a well-meaning business organisation which values customer satisfaction, Coscharis agreed to the settlement terms outlined by FCCPC after a protracted mediation between us. Ordinarily, we would consider the terms skewed heavily against Coscharis. Three options were given: That the vehicle be taken back for fresh repairs or a brand new one (2024 model) be supplied or, in the event that 2025 model be supplied, the lady will pay the differential between the 2024 model and 2025 model,” said Achebe.
To further demonstrate customer friendliness,
“Coscharis agreed to share the cost differential between the 2024 model and 2025 model”.
The differential amounted to N174m. The cost was to be shared between Coscharis, Jaguar (the car-maker) and the lady, each paying N58m.
“Coscharis delivered the vehicle to FCCPC headquarters in Abuja in May. But the lady refused and insisted on collecting the 2025 model without paying a kobo. To have her way at all costs, she is now trying to use FCCPC to shut down Coscharis offices in Nigeria until she had her way,” Achebe lamented.
Earlier today (Thursday), Cocharis Motors filed a suit at the Abuja Federal High Court seeking leave to appeal a judgement ordering the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to seal off the Coscharis’ Auto Showroom.
The auto firm pleaded it was not given fair hearing before the order was granted the lady to compel FCCPC to shut down its premises until her request was granted.
Coscharis’ lawyer, Ezinwane O., moved the motion seeking leave to appeal as an interested party before Justice Emeka Nwite in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/2722/2025, filed by the lady against the FCCPC.
When contacted for comment, the head of Legal Service of FCCPC, Barrister Chizenum Nsitem declined comment, saying “The matter is before the court. So, I cannot speak on it.”
