Two internet fraudsters, Rauf Rokeeb Abayomi and Odeh Godspower, have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges of internet fraud brought against them by the Lagos Zone of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants were arraigned on June 28, 2024, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on separate charges related to cybercrimes under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Rauf Rokeeb Abayomi, also known by the alias “Nasty Anabella,” was charged with making false statements on his Facebook account, where he misrepresented himself as a white woman. The fraudulent claim, made on May 10, 2024, was intended to procure financial instruments through deception. Abayomi pleaded guilty to the charge.
Similarly, Odeh Godspower was charged with posing as an American citizen, “Nasty_PuffPhaff,” on his Instagram account in April 2024, using the false identity to gain financial benefits. He too pleaded guilty to the charges.
Both fraudsters were sentenced after the prosecution, led by C.C. Okezie and supported by investigating officer Oyinda Abdullahi, presented documentary evidence that established their involvement in internet fraud.
On July 1, 2024, Justice Dipeolu convicted the defendants. Abayomi was sentenced to six months in prison, with the option of paying a fine of N50,000. Godspower received a sentence of two weeks imprisonment.
Their arrests and subsequent convictions serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities, particularly the EFCC, to combat internet fraud and cybercrime, which continue to threaten individuals and businesses both locally and globally.