The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 39 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in Oyo State. The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The suspects faced prosecution before Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo, and Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan. They were each charged with one count of offenses, including impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining by false pretenses.
The convicted individuals include Fasanya Gbolahan, Nkiri Destiny, Fakoya Samuel, Owolabi Damilare, Isiaka Adebayo, Olawoyin Olasunkanmi, Olawale Abideen, Olayiwola Waheed, Kehinde Abdulrauf, Okunlola Abidoun, Okunlola Mujeeb, Ademeso Olamide, Lawal Ridwan, Femi Oluremi, Ehinmowo Damilola, Joseph Justice, Enitan John, Kolawole Josaiah, Alo Emmanuel, Adetola Idris, and Joshua Shiyanbola, among others.
One of the charges, brought against suspect Austine Ayomide, detailed how he fraudulently impersonated a white woman named Linda Mary from the United States via Facebook to deceive an American named Clifton Deininger.
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution to present incriminating evidence and request appropriate sentencing.
Justice Adeyemi sentenced Ayomide to one year of community service or a fine of N200,000, while Tunde received a one-month jail term or a fine of N250,000. Several other convicts were sentenced to six months of community service, with fines ranging from N50,000 to N500,000, depending on the severity of their offenses.
Justice Taiwo handed down sentences ranging from three to six months of community service for other offenders, with additional fines where applicable. Similarly, Justice Akintola sentenced several individuals to one-year jail terms or fines ranging from N30,000 to N120,000, depending on the case.
In addition to their sentences, the convicts forfeited all items recovered during their arrests, including cars, to the Federal Government. The crackdown followed a sting operation targeting fraudulent internet activities, leading to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of the 39 suspects.
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.