By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentencing of seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement gave the names of the convicts as: Adio Peter Olakunle, Adebanjo Oluwafemi Samuel, Ezekiel Papi Kolawole, Lukman Olakunle Alabi, Sakiru Olamilekan Usman, Godwin Moses Abaka and Amosu Oladele Gbenonu were arraigned on one -count separate charge each before Justices M.O. Ishola, O.A. Lajide of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan and S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Amosu Oladele Gbenonu, ‘M’ on or about 12th of October, 2023 in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud one Karl Ackman, did falsely represent yourself to be Sarah Williams, a white woman from the United States of America with google account sarah.dawkwills241@gmail.com which representation you knew to be false, thereby committed the offence of Personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
The defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.
Consequently, facts of the cases were reviewed and several incriminating documents were tendered before the courts by the prosecution counsels, urging the courts to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
After listening to the prayers of counsels, Justice Lajide convicted and sentenced Gbenonu, Abaka, Usman and Kolawole to six months community service each, while Alabi was sentenced to two months community service.
Also, Justice Ishola convicted and sentenced Samuel to six months community service and Justice Adeniyi sentenced Olakunle to four months community service.
Furthermore, Justice Lajide ordered Gbenonu to pay the sum of N2million, Abaka to pay N1million, Usman to pay N800,000 and Kolawole to pay the sum of N400, 000 as fines alongside their jail terms respectively.
Also, the convicts were ordered to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
They began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. They were investigated, prosecuted and convicted.
