The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted and obtained convictions for 25 internet fraudsters in trials before seven different judges. These proceedings took place in Federal and State High Courts located in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Osogbo, Osun State.
Among those convicted are Tomiwa Olumide Ayodele, Adeniyi Kehinde Nuhu, Adeniyi Warris Adegbola, Toyeeb Abayomi Ijadunola, Isiah Akinyele Kehinde, Oluwadunsin Johnson Alabi, Muis Lawal Gbolahan, Adeyinka Kola Adeleye, Sodiq Iyanu Babatunde, Ojo Blessing Adeniyi, Akinrinwoye Victor Olamide, Olaloye Olanrewaju Kinsley, Daniel Olashile Maiye, and Omolade Opeyemi Oluwaseyi. Others include Olamide Adekunle Adeoye, Kazeem Makinde Olawale, Malik Olamilekan Ayoade, Emmanuel Ayomide Ojubanire, Dada Bamidele John, Henry Ogochukwu Ikeh, Faruq Omoleye Adeola, Oluyole Ayobami Emmanuel, Ayodele Micheal Damilola, Adaramoye Abayomi, and Yussuf Quadri Abiodun.
The charges ranged from impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents, to obtaining by false pretense. Each defendant pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Prosecution counsels from the EFCC presented the cases, and the courts were urged to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice M. Salisu of the Osun State High Court in Osogbo sentenced Ayodele, Nuhu, Adegbola, and Ijadunola to one year in prison each or a fine of N1 million each. Nuhu additionally forfeited a Toyota Camry and was ordered to restitute N415,000 to his victim. Ijadunola forfeited a Toyota Camry and was ordered to restitute N2.5 million.
Kehinde was sentenced to one year in prison or a fine of N500,000, while Alabi received six months in prison or a fine of N300,000. Abayomi received six months in prison or a fine of N250,000, and Abiodun received eight months in prison or a fine of N500,000, forfeiting his motorcycle.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan sentenced Gbolahan, Adeleye, and Babatunde to three months of community service each or a fine of N30,000 each. Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Osun State High Court in Osogbo sentenced Adeniyi, Olamide, and Kinsley to six months in prison each, with fines ranging from N300,000 to N500,000. Oluwaseyi received one year in prison without an option of fine, and Maiye received two weeks in prison.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel also sentenced Adeoye to a fine of N200,000, Olawale, John, and Ayoade to three months in prison each or fines ranging from N200,000 to N300,000. Ojubanire received two months in prison or a fine of N200,000.
Justice M. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan sentenced Ikeh to six months of community service, while Justice Bayo Taiwo sentenced Adeola to five months of community service plus a fine of N100,000.
Justice E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court in Ibadan sentenced Emmanuel and Damilola to one year in prison or a fine of N150,000 each. All convicted individuals forfeited items recovered from them to the federal government.
The arrests leading to their convictions stemmed from a sting operation conducted by EFCC operatives at Signatures Elixir and Alba Royale Clubhouses in Akure, Ondo State, and Ede, Osun State, based on credible intelligence regarding their fraudulent internet activities in both states.
