The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Asimiyu Olatunji and Hassan Makinde, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convicts were among the 93 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Sunday, August 10, 2025, during a sting operation by EFCC operatives at a hotel located within the precincts of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Olatunji and Makinde were arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud.
Okatunji is alleged to have fraudulently opened a Facebook account with the name Janet Milner, and deceitfully obtained $350, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (3)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, 2015.
Both defendants pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read to them.
Prosecution counsels, Pereagbe Ebareotu and S.M. Yabo reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered exhibits, including: Olatunji’s iPhone 12 and a ₦350,000 manager’s cheque raised as restitution.
Also tendered were Makinde’s iPhone 16 and forensic investigation documents retrieved from their devices.
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Justice Dipeolu admitted the items as evidence.
After listening to the defence’s plea for leniency on the grounds that the convicts were first-time offenders who showed remorse, Justice Dipeolu delivered judgment.
Olatunji was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of ₦500,000 fine, while his iPhone 12 and the ₦350,000 restitution cheque were forfeited to the federal government.
Similarly, Makinde was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of ₦500,000 fine, while his iPhone 16 was also forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC said Olatunji confessed to fraudulently obtaining $350, while Makinde admitted benefitting $10,000 Australian Dollars (about ₦1.5 million) from his internet scam activities.
