Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Thirty-two individuals have been convicted and sentenced to prison for internet-related fraud by the Oyo State High Court and the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a statement released by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Wednesday, the convicts were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation and internet-related offences.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Kolade Olayinka Akinlosotu, sometime in May, 2023 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Orlando Mejia, did falsely represent yourself as one Amanda Smith, a woman from Texas, United States of America through Facebook with account name Amanda Smith, thereby committed an offence of impersonation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
The convicts all pleaded guilty to the charges, and the prosecution counsel prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Consequently, the courts sentenced the convicts to various prison terms, fines, and community service. Some of the convicts were also ordered to forfeit items recovered from them, including money, phones, laptop computers, and vehicles.
Justice Ladiran Akintola, one of the presiding judges, convicted and sentenced some of the convicts to one year imprisonment or fines ranging from N30,000 to N500,000. Others were sentenced to community service or restitution to their victims.
