In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the conviction and sentencing of thirty-seven (37) individuals involved in internet fraud. The convictions were handed down by various judges, including Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.A. Olajide, J.O. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo, and M.O. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, as well as Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, and Justices A.A. Babawale, A.A. Akinyemi, and S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta.
The convicted individuals, including Aladelusi Temitope Matthew, Akinade Abimbola Oluwaseun, Gbenga Musbau Adebayo, and others, were arraigned between November and December 2023, each facing separate charges related to internet fraud.
Upon their arraignment, all the defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charges leveled against them. The courts, after reviewing the facts of the cases and examining various indicting documents and exhibits, convicted and sentenced the individuals accordingly.
The sentences varied, with some, including Owolabi, Olamide, Taofeek, Oke, Oludare, Tolu, Sunday, and Feranmi, receiving one-year imprisonment each. Others, such as Tosin, Idris, Toyosi, Josiah, Ayomide, Oladimeji, Matthew, and Kenneth, were sentenced to community service ranging from one month to three months.
Additionally, the convicted individuals were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all recovered items, including seven exotic cars, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The arrests and subsequent convictions demonstrate the EFCC’s commitment to tackling internet-related offenses. The offenders, who had been involved in various fraudulent activities, were thoroughly investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice. As a result, they have commenced serving their sentences in Correctional Centers.
