The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of 39 individuals involved in internet fraud in Oyo State.
The suspects were arrested and subsequently prosecuted on charges related to impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in Ibadan. The suspects faced separate one-count charges before Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo, and Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
The EFCC statement provided details of the charges, including the case against one of the convicts, Austine Ayomide. According to the charge, Ayomide impersonated a white woman named Linda Mary from the United States on Facebook, deceiving a U.S. citizen, Clifton Deininger, for personal gain. This act contravened Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
All the accused pleaded guilty to the charges against them. The EFCC’s prosecution team presented the facts of each case and submitted incriminating evidence, leading to the conviction of all 39 individuals.
The convicted individuals received varying sentences, including community service and fines. For instance, Justice Adeyemi sentenced Ayomide to one year of community service or a fine of N200,000.
Tunde, another convict, was sentenced to one month in jail or a fine of N250,000, while others received sentences ranging from one month to six months of community service, with fines ranging from N50,000 to N500,000.
Some convicts also forfeited assets to the Federal Government. For example, Damilola forfeited a Nissan Micra car, Emmanuel forfeited a Lexus IS 250, and Justice forfeited a Toyota Corolla.
Oyewale noted that these convictions underscore the EFCC’s commitment to curbing cybercrime and ensuring that those who engage in fraudulent activities face the full wrath of the law.
“The successful prosecution of these individuals sends a clear message that the EFCC will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who defraud others, both locally and internationally,” he said.
All convicted individuals are now serving their sentences as determined by the respective courts, with the forfeited items now in the custody of the Federal Government.
