Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted eight internet fraudsters who were arrested during a sting operation at a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The suspects, apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 15, pleaded guilty to various cybercrime charges, including obtaining money under false pretence, identity theft, and romance scams, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
Out of nine defendants, eight admitted guilt when charges were read in court. The defendants were part of a larger group of 93 suspects arrested during the operation.
EFCC investigators presented evidence, including seized iPhones and fraudulent documents from the defendants’ devices, linking them directly to online scams. Some convicts admitted earning millions of naira through romance fraud and offered restitution via bank drafts and manager’s cheques.
Sentences handed down by Judge Dehinde Dipeolu included:
Jinadu Rasaq Gbenisola: 3 months imprisonment or N500,000 fine; forfeited iPhone.
Salami Ponmile Basiru: 3 months imprisonment or N2 million fine; forfeited iPhone.
Tijani Babatunde: 3 months imprisonment or N1 million fine; forfeited iPhone 13 and refunded N4 million.
David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa: 1 month imprisonment or N200,000 fine; restitution of N70,000.
Agada Prosper: 3 months imprisonment or N200,000 fine; forfeited iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Awal Yusuf: 3 months imprisonment or N700,000 fine; forfeited iPhone 11 and $300 cheque.
Amsa Lawal Oluwatobi: 3 months imprisonment or N300,000 fine; forfeited iPhone 13 and N200,000 draft.
Yusuf Damilola: 6 months imprisonment or N6 million fine; forfeited iPhone 12 and N1 million cheque.
The court emphasized that the sentences serve as both punishment and deterrence.
One defendant who pleaded not guilty remains in custody pending trial.
Earlier, seven other suspects from the same operation were convicted for identity theft and fraud, signaling a major crackdown on cybercrime in the region.
