The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted 30 individuals for internet fraud at the Oyo State High Court.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement via their official X (formally Twitter) handle on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The commission said in the statement that the convicts, who were found guilty of various charges, including impersonation and obtaining by false pretenses, appeared before Justices Ladiran Akintola, Adebisi Adetujoye, and K.B. Olawoyin, respectively.
It added that the charges against the defendants, detailed different instances of fraud, such as Siyanbola Oluwaseun Ibrahim, who falsely presented himself as a woman from Chicago to defraud a victim via Facebook.
The anti-corruption agency stated that all the defendants pleaded guilty, leading the prosecution team to request appropriate sentencing.
Justice Akintola imposed various sentences, including one year imprisonment or fines for some, while others received community service.
Specifically, individuals like Oluwatosin faced a one-year sentence or a fine of N150,000, while others such as Ibrahim and Alabi, received three months of community service or fines of N30,000.
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Justice Olawoyin sentenced several convicts to one-year imprisonment or fines, and others to six months of jail time or fines.
Similarly, Justice Adetujoye assigned community service for a group of defendants, with one being cautioned and discharged.
In addition to their sentences, all convicts forfeited items, including cash, mobile phones, and a Lexus 350 car, which was seized during the operation.
Anakweze, one of the defendants, was specifically ordered to return N8.7 million to his victim.
