Five justices of the Federal and State High Courts in Ibadan and Osogbo have convicted and sentenced 16 internet fraudsters to prison.
The convicted individuals include Abdulsalam Hamid Oladimeji, Odegbile Olufemi Philip, Ajao Taiwo Samuel, Awosanya Babatunde Solomon, Oluwafemi Azeez Abdulazeez, Adeyemo Waliu Adekunle, Aladesanmi Olamilekan Eniola, Ojumu Ayomide Bamidele, Joseph Anthony Oloche, Afolabi Saheed Precious, Ogunjimi Emmanuel Abiodun, Oluwafeyisesan Oluwajubelo Oluwaseki, Lawal Tosinmile Moses, Victor Omaye Adaji, Gabriel Oluwadamilare Olaniran, and Oni-Olutola Olamilekan.
They were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges of impersonation, obtaining by false pretense, cheating, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charges against the convicts varied, with one case against Oni-Olutola Olamilekan detailing that he falsely impersonated an American citizen to defraud a victim of $600. The charges were all aligned with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
The convicts pleaded guilty to their charges, prompting the prosecution counsel to present incriminating evidence and request their sentencing.
Sentences Delivered:
- Osun State High Court, Justice M. Salisu:
- Oladimeji, Adaji, and Philip: One year imprisonment each or a fine of N1 million and N300,000 respectively.
- Olaniran and Olamilekan: Six months imprisonment each or a fine of N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.
- Oyo State High Court, Justice Ladiran Akintola:
- Samuel, Abdulazeez, and Adekunle: Three months community service each or a fine of N30,000 each.
- Solomon: Six months community service or a fine of N50,000.
- Osun State High Court, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel:
- Bamidele: One year imprisonment without an option of fine.
- Eniola: Six months imprisonment or a fine of N300,000.
- Oloche and Precious: Three months imprisonment each or a fine of N300,000 and N250,000 respectively.
- Federal High Court in Ibadan, Justice Uche Agomoh:
- Abiodun: Four months imprisonment without an option of fine.
- Federal High Court in Ibadan, Justice E. U. Akpan:
- Oluwaseki and Moses: One year imprisonment each or a fine of N500,000 and N150,000 respectively.
Additionally, all items and money recovered from the convicts were forfeited to the federal government. These individuals were among those arrested recently in Akure, Ondo State, by EFCC operatives.
