In Lagos, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against Olukeye Adedayo Olalekan on September 29, 2023. Olalekan faces an 18-count indictment involving child pornography, money laundering, and retaining proceeds from illegal activities. These charges were presented before Justice Tijani Ringim at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
One of the specific charges reads as follows: “On or about February 13, 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, you, Olukeye Adedayo Olalekan (also known as hrm877, charlotte 708, and harlilott_716), intentionally used the Instagram virtual network to establish a group titled ‘Expose Janjuarobin Nudes’ with the intent to distribute child pornography. This act constitutes an offense under Section 23(1)(c) and is punishable under Section 23(1)(e) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.” Olalekan entered a plea of “not guilty” to these charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requested an expedited trial and the detention of the defendant in a Correctional Centre. Oyedepo emphasized the potential harm to Nigeria’s international reputation, as both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the FBI had expressed concerns regarding this case, especially its connection to the tragic death of a 14-year-old minor.
The defendant’s counsel, P.O Onikoyin, informed the court of his intent to file a bail application on behalf of his client. In response, Oyedepo stated that he had just received the application and would require time to respond.
As a result, the Judge ordered the defendant’s remand in a Correctional Centre and scheduled the matter for further proceedings on November 6 and 9, 2023, including the hearing of motions and the commencement of the trial.
The EFCC apprehended the suspect on August 4, 2023, in Akute, Ogun State, based on intelligence received from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It was discovered that Olalekan had hacked into various social media accounts, assuming the identity of an attractive young woman to lure unsuspecting victims into sharing sexually explicit photographs, including nude images of a 14-year-old Canadian boy. Investigations revealed that the suspect had subsequently used these nude images to blackmail the minor, ultimately resulting in the tragic loss of his life. During a search of Olalekan’s residence in Ilaro, Ogun State, EFCC operatives recovered a mobile phone containing incriminating documents.
