The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of twenty-one internet fraudsters before different judges of the Federal High Court and Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.
According to a statement posted on the Commission’s official X page on Wednesday, the convicts were arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, retention of crime proceeds, and advance fee fraud.
Those convicted 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.
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Others are 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 reads: “That you Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen ‘M’ on or about 16th December, 2024 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by the name Joshua Smith from the United States of America to one Jonathan Tocobel, through your Instagram account (Jonathan Tocobel), with intent to gain an advantage for yourself and therefore committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty, prompting prosecution counsel Modupe Akinkoye, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsudeen Bashir, Umar Abiso and A.M. Aliyu to ask the courts for conviction and sentencing.
The courts handed out various punishments ranging from community service to jail terms, fines, and forfeiture of assets.
Justice Ladiran Akintola sentenced Olatunji Waliu Adegbaro to six months community service or a fine of ₦250,000, in addition to the forfeiture of a silver Mercedes Benz GLK 2015 model. Ajewole Ojo Kayode, Adewale Adetola Adedotun and Sheriff Funso Oparinde each received one-year imprisonment with the option of fines ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦60,000.
Aliu Abayomi Victor, Abeeb Ridwan Bidemi and Ajewole Segun Abraham were ordered to perform three months of community service or pay ₦50,000 each, while Ugbe Emmanuel Ukali was fined ₦40,000.
In similar rulings, Waheed Hamid Aromose was given three months of community service, Olorunyomi Sina Ayo got six months and forfeited a 2013 Toyota Camry, and Shodeinde Joshua Adeyemi bagged one week of community service without an option of fine.
Kolawole Oreoluwa Johnson was sentenced to one year imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000, while Ogunsami Farouk Adeyinka received six months community service without an option of fine. Adewale Bolaji Al-Ameen was sentenced to four months community service and a ₦100,000 fine.
