LAGOS, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters—Orizowe Omogbor Anointing, Lawal Olaitan, and Tella Damilola Adebayo—before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The trio was arraigned separately on May 28, 2025, each facing a one-count charge of fraudulently impersonating U.S. citizens online to gain financial benefits.
One of the charges against Anointing reads:
“That you, ORIZOWE OMOGBOR ANOINTING (a.k.a Nicholas Dewell), on or about the 20th day of May, 2025, fraudulently impersonated one ‘Nicholas Dewell’ by holding yourself out as such on your Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yourself…”
All three defendants pleaded guilty, and prosecution counsels Bilkisu Buhari and Z.B. Atiku presented their cases with evidence from investigating officers Nwike Fortune, Akojemi Emmanuel, and Adamu Usman Turaki.
The officers confirmed that the suspects were arrested with fraudulent documents, confessional statements, and in Anointing’s case, a Lexus RX 350 and cash proceeds from the fraud.
Justice Aneke sentenced all three to one year in prison, with options of fines:
Anointing and Olaitan: ₦500,000 each
Tella: ₦1,250,000
In addition, the court ordered:
Forfeiture of mobile devices, recovered cash, and vehicles to the Federal Government
100 hours of community service for each convict
All three fraudsters were taken into custody following their arrest by EFCC operatives and subsequent prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
