Justices Haleema Saleeman and Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin have convicted and sentenced six individuals for various fraudulent activities, including internet fraud, impersonation, and retention of proceeds of crime.
The convicted individuals are Akingbehin Temitope Oluwaseyi, Ajayi Elijah Olaoluwa, Samson Babatunde Ilesanmi, Quadri Olamilekan Lamidi, Kolawole Kehinde Moses, and Olatunji Elijah Olabisi.
They were prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on multiple charges.
According to court records, Oluwaseyi, a 25-year-old car dealer, alongside Olaoluwa, Ilesanmi, and Lamidi, faced trial before Justice Saleeman. Moses and Olabisi were tried before Justice Abdulgafar. The convicts pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Details of the Cases and Sentences
Oluwaseyi was accused of retaining N2,707,562 in his Opay account, knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
He received a one-year jail term on each of two counts, with an option to pay fines of N1 million and N707,562, respectively.
He also forfeited a Toyota Camry car, two phones, and other items linked to his crimes to the federal government.
Ilesanmi, who impersonated a Facebook user named “Angela Sara Maya,” induced a victim to part with $250.
He was sentenced to four months imprisonment or a fine of N250,000, with the forfeiture of $150 and two phones used in his fraudulent activities.
Lamidi received a cumulative prison term of nine months on three counts, with an option of fines totaling N300,000.
He forfeited €325, $150 Canadian dollars, and two phones to the federal government.
For Moses, the court handed down a three-month suspended sentence and ordered the forfeiture of N330,000, $80, and an iPhone 12 Promax. Olabisi was directed to pay $25 as restitution and forfeited $70 and his iPhone XR.
The EFCC presented evidence, including statements from the defendants and items recovered at the point of arrest. The court found all six guilty and ordered the forfeiture of their illegally acquired assets to the federal government.
In his remarks, one of the presiding judges emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to supporting the fight against economic crimes in Nigeria.
“This is a clear warning to others engaging in internet fraud that the law will catch up with them,” the judge stated.
