- EFCC Nabs 93, Convicts Eight Over Online Fraud
- Some of the convicts admitted to making millions of naira from romance fraud
- David Ogunmuyiwa received one month in prison or a N200,000 fine
A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted eight internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to cybercrime charges after their arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abeokuta.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the convicts were among 93 suspects apprehended during a sting operation at a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex.
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The trial, presided over by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, involved charges of obtaining money under false pretence, identity theft, and romance scams in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and the EFCC Act, 2004.
Investigators from the EFCC told the court that incriminating evidence, including iPhones and fraudulent documents recovered from the defendants’ devices, linked them to online scams. Some of the convicts admitted to making millions of naira from romance fraud and presented restitution in the form of manager’s cheques.
The court admitted the exhibits, including mobile phones, written statements, and cheques, without objection.
Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the facts and confessional statements, convicted them accordingly.
Jinadu Gbenisola and Salami Basiru were sentenced to three months in prison each, with an option of a N500,000 and N2 million fine respectively, and forfeited their iPhones to the Federal Government.
Tijani Babatunde, who admitted to earning between N5 million and N10 million through romance scams, was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a fine of N1 million. He forfeited his iPhone 13 and refunded N4 million via bank draft.
David Ogunmuyiwa received one month in prison or a N200,000 fine, forfeiting his iPhone 16 and making restitution of N70,000.
Agada Prosper was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a N200,000 fine and forfeited his iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Awal Yusuf, who benefited $600 from romance fraud, was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a N700,000 fine. His iPhone 11 and a $300 manager’s cheque were forfeited.
Amsa Oluwatobi was given three months imprisonment with an option of a N300,000 fine, forfeiting his iPhone 13 and a N200,000 bank draft.
Yusuf Damilola, who admitted to obtaining $6,000 Canadian dollars and $150 through romance scams, received six months imprisonment or a fine of N6 million. His iPhone 12 and a N1 million manager’s cheque were also forfeited.
In each case, Justice Dipeolu ruled that the prosecution had established its case through evidence and the defendants’ admissions, stressing that the sentences were meant to serve as both punishment and deterrence.
Meanwhile, another defendant who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody pending trial.
