The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of 37 internet fraudsters to various terms of imprisonment, fines, and community service.

The convicts were prosecuted before Justices Mohammed Owolabi, Ladiran Akintola and Mojeed Oladimeji Ishola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan; Justices Olanrewaju Mabekoje, A.A. Babawale, O.O. Majekodunmi, and O. Ogunfowora of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta; and Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State between January 10 and March 6, 2023.

The internet fraudsters convicted included Olubanji Remilekun Dare, Abdullahi Olalekan, Salau Olalekan Abdulazeez, Joshua Jimoh Showemimo, Awotunde Joseph Sunday, Abegunde Oluseye James, Sadu Noah Babatunde, Emmanuel Oluwasanya, Joshua Opeyemi Okunlaja, Emefele Collins Kelvin, Lateef Afeez Abiodun, Salawu Bolaji Ismail, Azeez Alao Rasaq, Akinleye Abdul-Azeez Oloruntosin, Quincy Olise Okonma, David Olateju Olayiwola,  Balogun Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adebayo Waris Bolaji, Makinde Taiwo Busola, Ojekunle Ifakorede Apesinola, Akorede Ibrahim Abimbola, Olowofela Ganiyu Omolaja,  and Olatunde Zaccheus Sulaiman.

Others were Fagbamiye Temitope Akinola, David Mautin Sadagbande, Odunjo Fodirudeen Bamidele, Abayomi Gideon Ayeni, Folorunsho Samuel Oluwatobi, Amoo Abdulmalik Ademola, Shittu Toheeb Ife, Stephen Godwin Olawoye, Oladimeji Ayomide Michael, Arasi Taiwo Bolaji, Sulaiman Lateef Damilare, Olori Daniel Oluwaseun, Ganiu Jamiu Adufe, and Akinlagun Oyindamola Tomiwa.

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Upon their arraignments on a separate one-count charge each, the internet fraudsters pleaded “guilty” except Fagbamiye Temitope Akinola who pleaded “not guilty” as the case went into a trial.

Fagbamiye was arraigned on 18 counts which bordered on money laundering, an offence the prosecution said was contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

During the trial, the prosecution called one witness and tendered 10 exhibits that were admitted in evidence.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, Justice Emmanuel, in his judgement, pronounced Fagbamiye Temitope Akinola guilty as charged and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each of the 18 counts, which is to run concurrently.

Justice Emmanuel, however, gave the convict an option of N200,000 fine on each of the 18 counts, amounting to N3.6 million.

Other convicts were sentenced to different jail terms ranging from two months to one year of community service or three months to one year imprisonment with option of fines.

The courts also ordered the convicts to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government.

The Star