Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, sentenced Olalere Kehinde Barnabas to two years in prison for committing internet fraud.
Barnabas was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge related to cybercrime involving $2,000.
According to the charge, Barnabas, in 2023, impersonated a U.S. citizen named “Joe Bonamassa” using fake profiles on Facebook and Instagram. His aim was to defraud unsuspecting victims, an offense under Section 22(2)(b) and punishable under Section 22(2)(iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act.
He pleaded guilty during his arraignment.
Prosecuting counsel T.J. Banjo called EFCC investigator Nwike Fortune, who testified that Barnabas was arrested on June 24, 2025, at Favoured Height Estate, Lekki, Lagos. He confessed to running a “celebrity scam,” posing as a white man to deceive victims.
Nwike confirmed Barnabas benefitted $2,000 (approx. N1.8 million) from his scam. He also submitted a manager’s cheque of N900,000 as partial restitution and surrendered an iPhone 14 used in the crime.
Justice Owoeye found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison, with the option of a N350,000 fine. His mobile device and N900,000 cheque were forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Defence counsel Fabian Nwaoforji pleaded for leniency, citing Barnabas as a first-time offender who promised to abandon cybercrime.
