Court convicts 21 internet fraudsters in Ibadan, orders forfeiture of cars, gadgets

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 21 internet fraudsters before the Federal High Court and the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

The convictions were handed down by Justices Uche Agomoh, O.S. Adeyemi, Ladiran Akintola, R.B. Olawoyin, O.S. Adeniyi, O.A. Adetujoye, M.O. Ishola, and Bayo Taiwo after the fraudsters faced separate charges of advance fee fraud, obtaining by false pretence, impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

The convicted individuals include Waheed Hamid Aromose, Aliu Abayomi Victor, Ugbe Emmanuel Ukali, Ajewole Segun Abraham, Abeeb Ridwan Bidemi, Kolawole Oreoluwa Johnson, Olorunyomi Sina Ayo, Ajewole Ojo Kayode, Adewale Adetola Adedotun, Olatunji Waliu Adegbaro, Shodeinde Joshua Adeyemi, Adeoye Bayo Lanre, Taufeek Rafiu Olamide, Adegbite Oluwaseyi Damilare, Hamzat Qowiyu Ajibola, Ayorinde Festus Morakinyo, Damilola Moore Ayomide, Ayinde Oluwaseun Ridwan, Ogunsami Farouk Adeyinka, Sheriff Funso Oparinde, and Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen.

One of the charges revealed that Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen impersonated an American named “Joshua Smith” via Instagram to defraud a victim, Jonathan Tocobel, an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Oyo State Criminal Code Law.

According to EFCC, all the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges, prompting EFCC prosecutors Modupe Akinkoye, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsudeen Bashir, Umar Abiso and A.M. Aliyu to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The judges imposed varying sentences depending on the weight of the evidence and the circumstances of each case.

Some of the convicts were given community service terms, others received fines, while a few were sentenced to years of imprisonment without any option of a fine.

“Olatunji Waliu Adegbaro was sentenced to six months of community service or a fine of ₦250,000, and he was also ordered to forfeit a 2015 Mercedes Benz GLK. Ajewole Ojo Kayode, Adewale Adetola Adedotun and Sheriff Funso Oparinde received one-year jail terms each, with options of fines between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000. Aliu Abayomi Victor, Abeeb Ridwan Bidemi and Ajewole Segun Abraham were given three months of community service each or ₦50,000 fines, while Ugbe Emmanuel Ukali was ordered to pay ₦40,000. Waheed Hamid Aromose was sentenced to three months of community service, Olorunyomi Sina Ayo to six months of community service alongside the forfeiture of a 2013 Toyota Camry, and Kolawole Oreoluwa Johnson to one year imprisonment with an option of ₦200,000 fine”, EFCC disclosed.

It added that the stiffest punishments were handed to Adeoye Bayo Lanre, who received five years imprisonment without option of fine, and Taufeek Rafiu Olamide, who bagged two years imprisonment also without option of fine. Adegbite Oluwaseyi Damilare was sentenced to one year in prison but given an option of ₦500,000 fine, while Damilola Moore Ayomide also got one year imprisonment and forfeited a 2013 Toyota Camry. Ayinde Oluwaseun Ridwan was equally sentenced to one year in prison. Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen, the impersonator, received four months of community service and a ₦100,000 fine, while Hamzat Qowiyu Ajibola bagged two months of community service without the option of a fine. Other convicts, including Shodeinde Joshua Adeyemi and Ogunsami Farouk Adeyinka, were handed shorter community service sentences.

The courts also ordered all the convicts to forfeit their mobile phones, laptops, other electronic gadgets, and monies found in their bank accounts to the Federal Government as proceeds of crime.

The EFCC explained that the fraudsters’ downfall began when credible intelligence exposed their involvement in cybercrime operations in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State. Following investigations, they were arrested, charged in court, and eventually convicted.

The Commission stressed that the sentences underscore its determination to rid society of cybercriminals and warned that those still engaged in such illegal ventures risk not only imprisonment but also the forfeiture of their assets.