Court jails 21 internet fraudsters in Ibadan

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 21 internet fraudsters before the Federal High Court and Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

The convictions were delivered by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, and Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Ladiran Akintola, R.B. Olawoyin, O.S. Adeniyi, O.A. Adetujoye, M.O. Ishola and Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court.

The convicts, who were prosecuted on separate one-count charges, were found guilty of offences bordering on advance fee fraud, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, possession of fraudulent documents and impersonation.

All 21 defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them, prompting the EFCC’s prosecution team to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The sentences varied across the cases. Some of the convicts were handed community service terms, while others received jail terms with or without options of fines.

For instance, Olatunji Waliu Adegbaro was sentenced to six months community service or a N250,000 fine, with the forfeiture of a 2015 Mercedes Benz GLK, while Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen bagged four months of community service and a N100,000 fine.

Others, including Adeoye Bayo Lanre and Taufeek Rafiu Olamide, received five years and two years imprisonment respectively without the option of fines.

In addition, several convicts were ordered to forfeit vehicles, including a red 2013 Toyota Camry and a black 2013 Toyota Camry, as well as mobile phones, laptops, and funds traced to their bank accounts, all being proceeds of fraud.

The EFCC disclosed that the convicts were arrested by its Ibadan Zonal Directorate following credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent online activities.

After investigations, they were arraigned in court and subsequently convicted.

Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that the convictions reflect the Commission’s renewed commitment to sanitizing the digital space and bringing cybercriminals to justice.