Four individuals were convicted and sentenced for internet-related fraud by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The convictions were secured before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convicts — Martins Emmanuel, Abeeb Olamide Asiru, Iremide Owolabi, and Quadri Abdulrasheed Adio — were arrested on August 29, 2025, in a sting operation conducted at Mambillah Hotel in Ikorodu, Lagos. Their arrests followed credible intelligence linking them to a syndicate of suspected internet fraudsters operating from the hotel.
Each suspect was arraigned on separate one-count charges of fraudulent impersonation and internet-related crimes. The charges revealed that the individuals used fake identities on social media platforms to deceive victims for personal gain.
According to the charges, Abeeb Olamide Asiru impersonated a person known as “Dolly Parton” on Facebook to fraudulently gain an advantage, an act punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015. Similarly, Martins Emmanuel was charged for posing as a white woman named “ROSE HEATHERS56” on TikTok, a false representation intended to fraudulently secure financial benefits. This offense is punishable under Section 22(3) of the same Act.
All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Following their pleas, the prosecution, led by H.U. Kofarnaisa, presented the case through investigating officers Ibrahim Bukar, Samson Aguma, and Ruth Odang. Evidence such as the defendants’ statements and recovered mobile devices was submitted to the court.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently delivered the following sentences: Martins Emmanuel received three months’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦600,000 fine; Abeeb Olamide Asiru was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦2,000,000 fine; and both Iremide Owolabi and Quadri Abdulrasheed Adio were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment each, with the option of a ₦800,000 fine.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all mobile devices recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
