The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved the conviction and sentencing of 39 individuals involved in internet fraud.
The sentences were handed down by Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo, and Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
Each of the convicted fraudsters faced separate one-count charges related to impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining by false pretenses.
The convicted individuals include Fasanya Abdulqudus Gbolahan, Nkiri Oluchukwu Destiny, Fakoya Tobi Samuel, Owolabi Qudus Damilare, Isiaka Olajide Adebayo, Olawoyin Wasiu Olasunkanmi, Olawale Owolabi Abideen, Olayiwola Tunde Waheed, Kehinde Pelumi Abdulrauf, Okunlola Taoreed Abidoun, Okunlola Dolapo Mujeeb, Ademeso Raphael Olamide, Lawal Olajuwon Ridwan, Femi Dogo Oluremi, Ehinmowo Jeremiah Damilola, Joseph Isaac Justice, Enitan Tolulope John, Kolawole Toluwani Josaiah, Alo Ayokunnumi Emmanuel, Adetola Opeyemi Idris, and Joshua Imole Shiyanbola.
Others include Idowu Ezekiel David, Salau Abeeb Ayomide, Adeyemi Samuel Adeleke, Philip Olabode Olatunde, Fasanya Gbenga Tunde, Seun Ayomide Babatunde, Ogoayo Alabi Sijuola, Akanji Timothy Bidoun, Quadri Salami Oyindamola, Samuel Adeyemi Oluwatobi, Ogunyemi Gbolahan Opemiposi, Olabanjo Oluwafemi Olatunbosun, Paul Nneji Uche, Ayomiposi Clement Akinyimika, Abdullahi Mustapha Adisa, Ajetunmobi Azeez Olashile, Oluwaseun Adeyeye Adeniran, and Onah Austine Ayomide.
For example, Onah Austine Ayomide was convicted for fraudulently impersonating a white woman named Linda Mary from the United States via Facebook, with the intention of deceiving Clifton Deininger.
He was sentenced to one year of community service or a fine of ₦200,000.
Tunde received a one-month jail term or a ₦250,000 fine, while several others, including Abeeb Ayomide, Adeleke, and Babatunde, were sentenced to six months of community service with additional fines.
Justice Taiwo sentenced Taoreed Abidoun to three months in prison and Mujeeb to four months.
Other convicts received various combinations of community service and fines, while some, such as Damilola, Emmanuel, and Justice, forfeited valuable assets including vehicles.
Justice Akintola sentenced Idris and David to six months of community service or fines of ₦60,000 and ₦150,000, respectively, and Ridwan and John to three months of community service or lesser fines.
All recovered items from the convicts were forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convictions followed a sting operation targeting fraudulent internet activities.
