The High Court in Lagos has convicted four internet fraudsters arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a sting operation at a hotel in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex, Abeokuta.
Vacation judge Justice Deinde Dipeolu convicted Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Isaac Akinwale, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, and Bisiriyu Roqeeb Abiodun after they pleaded guilty to cybercrime-related charges. A fifth defendant, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan, pleaded not guilty and was remanded pending trial on 31 October.
The August 10 operation netted 93 suspects, with 21 arraigned on Friday. Charges included false pretence, identity theft, and obtaining money by fraud, contrary to the Cybercrimes Act 2015 and EFCC Act 2004.
Olatunji admitted posing as “Camila” online and received one month’s imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine. Akinwale, who defrauded a victim of $500 while impersonating “Monica” and “Daisy,” was jailed for three months or fined ₦1 million, with his car, phones, and ₦400,000 restitution forfeited to the government.
Oshundairo, who impersonated an expert in service certificates and retained ₦600,000 in criminal proceeds, received 30 days of community service in Ogun State, carrying a placard warning against cybercrime under EFCC supervision.
Abiodun, who posed as “Sharon,” a fictitious American woman, to swindle $200, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine, with his Samsung Galaxy S20 and restitution forfeited.
The court ordered all forfeited items transferred to the Federal Government, while the EFCC continues prosecuting other suspects from the raid.