Five individuals involved in a TikTok-based internet fraud scheme have been convicted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The suspects were among 93 arrested during an EFCC sting operation on August 10, 2025, at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convicted individuals—Olawale Waliu, Akinyele Kehinde Fatai, Olufemi Korede Ayomiposi, Shonekan Waris Bolaji, and Adeleye Emmanuel Jesutofunmi—each faced one-count charges relating to cybercrime, identity theft, and internet fraud.
According to the EFCC, the fraud involved impersonation and deception using social media platforms such as Facebook and Google. For instance, Waliu posed as “Lanna Morgan,” a white woman on Facebook; Ayomiposi used a fake identity “Floyd Jeep” via a Gmail account; and Bolaji impersonated a U.S. inmate named Jennifer Brown. Fatai presented himself as “Shannon Belia,” a fictitious female Facebook user, while Jesutofunmi was involved in romance scams.
All five suspects pleaded guilty. Prosecuting counsels submitted digital evidence, including smartphones and financial restitution, such as manager’s cheques amounting to over N1.5 million. The court accepted all exhibits, including forensic analysis reports and confessional statements.
In sentencing:
Olawale Waliu received 30 days’ imprisonment or an N80,000 fine, with forfeiture of his mobile phone and a N26,000 restitution cheque.
Akinyele Fatai, who gained $2,000, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment or an N3 million fine.
Waris Bolaji, who benefitted $50, was sentenced to 1 month imprisonment from the date of arrest.
Olufemi Ayomiposi, who gained $2,230, received 30 days’ imprisonment from arrest date. His iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone XR were ordered forfeited to the federal government.
Jesutofunmi was sentenced to 30 days of community service at the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC said the convictions serve as a warning to online fraudsters and highlight the agency’s commitment to fighting cybercrime in Nigeria.
