No fewer than 32 individuals have been convicted for internet fraud by various courts in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Directorate, on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation and cyber-related offences.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.S. Adeyemi, K.B. Olawoyin, and G.A. Sunmonu of the Oyo State High Court, along with Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, sentenced the fraudsters to varying jail terms and community service.
This was disclosed in a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
According to the EFCC, the convicts all pleaded guilty to their respective charges and were sentenced accordingly.
The statement said, “Justice Olawoyin sentenced Olajide Peter to two years in prison with an option of a ₦500,000 fine, while Ayodeji got one year with a ₦250,000 fine. Justice Maha sentenced Abayomi to one-year imprisonment or a ₦250,000 fine.
“Justice Adeyemi imposed a one-year jail term on Oriyomi and Ibrahim without an option of fine, while Ayobami, Abdullahi, and Ayinde were sentenced to six months of community service each.
“Ojo, Mustapha, and Adebesin bagged three months of community service without an option of fine.
“Justice Akintola sentenced Oladimeji, Joseph, and Olaoluwa to one year imprisonment with an option of ₦50,000 and ₦150,000 fines, respectively. Adeniyi was handed a six-month jail term or a ₦150,000 fine, while Jelili was sentenced to six months of community service or a ₦150,000 fine.
“Michael and Olamide received three-month jail terms or a ₦50,000 fine each.
“Justice Sunmonu convicted Akinlosotu, sentencing him to three months of community service without an option of fine.
“In addition to their sentences, the convicts forfeited various items to the Federal Government, including cash, phones, and laptops.
“Also seized were vehicles linked to some of the convicts, including a green Toyota Camry (EPE-232-GU) from Oriyomi, a wine Toyota Camry (MUS-84-GU) from Ibrahim, a red Toyota Corolla (chassis number: 2T1BU4EE3AC495391) from Olaoluwa, a black Toyota Camry (MUS-683-HJ) from Adeniyi, and a golden Toyota Camry (chassis number: 411BE46KX8U203665) from Abdullahi.
“Furthermore, Ayobami was ordered to refund ₦2.5 million to his victim as restitution.”
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to clamping down on internet fraud and other financial crimes across the country.
