COURT JAILS SEVEN INTERNET FRAUDSTERS ARRESTED IN OOPL HOTEL RAID

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters arrested during a sting operation at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The convicts Azeez Aliu Olalekan, Tijani Babatunde, David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa, Agada Prosper Osinakachukwu, Awwal Mashood, Amusa Wareez Oluwatobi, and Olujimi Damilola were among 93 suspects apprehended by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 10.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement, said the convicts were arraigned on separate charges of impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud. All seven pleaded guilty.

Justice D.I. Dipeolu, after reviewing the facts and exhibits, including phones and bank drafts presented as restitution, convicted and sentenced them to varying jail terms with options of fines.

Olalekan, who admitted benefitting $1,500, received three months’ imprisonment or a N500,000 fine.

Babatunde, who confessed to making between N5m and N10m, got three months or a N1m fine.

Ogunmuyiwa, who gained N70,000, bagged one month or a N200,000 fine.

Oluwatobi, who defrauded a victim of $200, was sentenced to three months or a N300,000 fine.

Damilola, who obtained $150, received six months or a N6m fine.

Their mobile phones and bank drafts raised as restitution were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

Oyewale added that more of the 93 suspects arrested in the OOPL raid will be arraigned in the coming days.