ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of thirty-seven individuals involved in internet fraud.
The convictions were obtained before Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.A. Olajide, J.O. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo, and M.O. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan; Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State; and Justices A.A. Babawale, A.A. Akinyemi, and S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta.
The defendants, arraigned between November and December 2023 on separate one-count charges, pleaded “guilty” to the charges brought against them.
Individuals convicted include Aladelusi Temitope Matthew, Akinade Abimbola Oluwaseun, Gbenga Musbau Adebayo, Olaitan Gbenga Josiah, Adegboyega Toluwalope Owolabi, Giwa Areef Olakunle, Victor Ogundahunsi Damilare, Kelvin Dave Udanyi, Ayeloja Ridwan Oluwatobilola, Adebule Olamide, Olamilekan Gbolahan Adeniji, Agboola Oladimeji Taofeek, Ojo Odegbile Oke, Abdulazeez Ajadi Oludare, Oyewole Korede Tolu, Okeowo Abiodun Sunday, Oladokun Peter Ayomide, Samuel Ayodeji Mayokun, Hamzat Taofeek Opeyemi, Echeta Chidi Oluwambe, Mujeeb Adedeji, Eyinola Ojo Tosin, and Makinde Kehinde Bukola.
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Other convicted individuals include Jubril Ayomide Adeshina, Gbolahan Emmanuel Jayeola, Eyamekware Gabriel Cleverly, Kazeem Orija Oladimeji, Echeta Chinedu Junior, Oyelakin Collins Ayomide, Olanrewaju Kabir Olamilekan, Lasisi Damilola Idris, Emmanuel Ojima Matthew, Sonibare Adebayo Wasiu, Makinde Olamiposi Feranmi, Timileyin Bankole Toyosi, Adeyinka Monsuru Oladaride, and Ubiwe Kenneth.
One of the counts read: “That you Oyelakin Collins Ayomide on or about 2nd June 2023, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did sell hacked Facebook Accounts with different identity cards to internet fraudsters, thereby aiding them in committing an offence, aiding another person in committing, an offence contrary to Sections 7(c) and 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 30, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
Another count charge reads, “That you Eyamekware Gabriel Cleverly on or about April 2023 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Lukas Wack, did falsely represent yourself to be a white lady who goes by the name Elmar Bockmar, thereby committed an offence of Personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
Upon their arraignments, they all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
Charges ranged from selling hacked Facebook accounts, aiding in internet-related offenses, to falsely representing identities for fraudulent purposes.
The courts handed down various sentences, including one-year imprisonment, community service, and restitution to victims. The convicts were also ordered to forfeit items, including seven exotic cars, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
These individuals, arrested by EFCC operatives for internet-related offenses, underwent thorough investigations, prosecution, and conviction, marking a significant effort in combating cybercrime and protecting the public from fraudulent activities.