Lagos court sentences man to 50 years for £15,000 fraud

Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, sentenced Osaibovo Charles to a total of 50 years’ imprisonment for offences including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.

Charles was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate I of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge relating to the fraudulent collection of £15,000 from Miss Shenika Garati. He reportedly impersonated popular Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard, claiming the money was needed for a movie production in Nigeria.

Among the charges, Charles was accused of conspiring with a co-defendant, Charles Evans Osaigbovo (deceased), in June 2022 to obtain £38,000 by false pretence, and of transferring £15,000 between February and August 2022 while concealing its illegal origin.

Charles initially pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial in which the prosecution led by T.J. Banjo called two witnesses and submitted multiple documents as evidence, while the defence called one witness.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu stated that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. Charles was sentenced as follows: 14 years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence, 5 years for stealing, 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and 3 years for money laundering. All sentences are to run concurrently without an option of fine.

Charles was, however, discharged and acquitted on the count of retention of proceeds of crime. The court also ordered restitution of £15,000 to the victim, Miss Shenika Garati.