Courts Sentence 32 Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Ibadan
The convictions were secured by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges related to impersonation and internet-related offenses.
Thirty-two individuals have been convicted and sentenced for internet fraud by Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.S. Adeyemi, K.B. Olawoyin, and G.A. Sunmonu of the Oyo State High Court, along with Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
The convictions were secured by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges related to impersonation and internet-related offenses.
The convicted individuals include Kolade Olayinka Akinlosotu, Adetoro Kolawole Jelili, Olatunji Opeyemi Matthew, Ehifowoju Kehinde Emmanuel, Basit Akorede Mustapha, Banjoko Olamide Oriyomi, Badmus Quazeem Damilola, Ikumapayi Olalekan Babajide, Muili Olamilekan Sodiq, Odususi Yemi Michael, Ashiru Adebola Ibrahim, Ayomide Olamide Ogidan, Fatusin Michael Abayomi, Omotosho Oluwapelumi James, Adewale Ibikunle Abdullahi, Ismail Ibrahim Friday, Adedara Ademola Ayobami, and Ajayi Elijah Oladimeji.
Others sentenced are Oladele Salam, Olasunkanmi Kadril Yakub, Ayomide Hassan Omolade, Ojo Oluwanifemi Emmanuel, Temitope Gbenga Agbaminoja, Oyewale Timileyin Ayodeji, Olajide Lekan Peter, Obaoye Samuel Olaoluwa, Ajayi Okiki Michael, Mustapha Quadri Ayinde, Oluwatimilehin Noah Ojo, Oluwajana Segun Joseph, Oluwashina Gbenga Adeniyi, and Kolawole Ojukotimi Adebesin.
One of the charges against Akinlosotu stated that he had impersonated an individual named Amanda Smith from Texas, USA, through a fraudulent Facebook account, with the intent to defraud one Orlando Mejia.
The act was deemed an offence of impersonation under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
All 32 individuals pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
The prosecution team, led by Modupe Akinkoye, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen Bashir, David Olubode, and A.M. Aliyu, urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin sentenced Peter to two years in prison or a N500,000 fine, while Ayodeji and Abayomi received one-year sentences each or the option to pay N250,000 fines.
Justice O.S. Adeyemi sentenced Oriyomi and Ibrahim to one year imprisonment without the option of a fine, while Ayobami, Abdullahi, and Ayinde were handed six months of community service each.
Ojo, Mustapha, and Adebesin received three months of community service without an option of a fine.
Justice Ladiran Akintola sentenced Oladimeji, Joseph, and Olaoluwa to one-year imprisonment each, with fines of N50,000, N40,000, and N150,000, respectively.
Adeniyi received a six-month jail term or a N150,000 fine, while Jelili was sentenced to six months of community service or a N150,000 fine. Michael and Olamide were given three-month jail terms or a N50,000 fine each.
Several other convicts, including Kehinde Emmanuel, Babajide, Sodiq, James, Salam, Yakub, Omolade, Oluwanifemi Emmanuel, Agbaminoja, Okiki Michael, and Friday, were sentenced to three months of community service or fines ranging from N30,000 to N75,000.
Justice G.A. Sunmonu sentenced Akinlosotu to three months of community service without an option of a fine.
In addition to their sentences, all convicts were ordered to forfeit assets, including money, phones, and laptops, to the federal government.
Confiscated vehicles include a green Toyota Camry (2005 model) recovered from Oriyomi, a wine-colored Toyota Camry from Ibrahim, a red Toyota Corolla from Olaoluwa, a black Toyota Camry from Adeniyi, and a golden Toyota Camry from Abdullahi.
Furthermore, the court directed Ayobami to pay N2.5 million in restitution to his victim.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime, urging the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities perpetrated through the internet.
