The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under heavy criticism after an 18-year-old man, Hassan Olamilekan, was convicted for laundering $800 obtained through a gift card scam, with Nigerians questioning the agency’s priorities and its handling of alleged corruption cases involving politicians.
Key Highlights
- 18-year-old Hassan Olamilekan was convicted of laundering $800 from a gift card scam.
- Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, sentenced him on October 30, 2026, after he pleaded guilty.
- He was fined ₦200,000, ordered to pay ₦1 million restitution and to forfeit two phones.
- He was among 21 suspects arrested in an EFCC sting at Applewood Estate, Lekki, on October 26.
- Nigerians on X accuse the EFCC of chasing petty fraudsters while sparing politicians.
The criticism follows reports that Olamilekan was sentenced by Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on October 30, 2026, after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of money laundering.
How The Scam Worked
According to the EFCC, the teenager impersonated an American woman identified as Julie Leach on the Zangi application and approached a United States citizen, Gary Brewer, with a fabricated story about winning a $250 million lottery.
He allegedly convinced Brewer to send him gift cards, which he later sold through the Cardsonic application, converting the proceeds to naira and transferring the money to his grandmother’s OPay account.
The commission said Olamilekan admitted benefiting from $800 through the fraudulent scheme.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently fined him ₦200,000, ordered him to pay ₦1 million in restitution to the federal government and directed the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone.
He was also ordered to remain in a correctional centre pending payment of the fine and restitution.
Olamilekan was reportedly among 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos, on October 26.
Nigerians React
However, the development has triggered widespread reactions, with many Nigerians accusing the anti-graft agency of focusing on petty internet fraud, while allegedly failing to demonstrate the same urgency in pursuing politicians accused of stealing public funds.
Reacting to the conviction, an X user, @ofashizzie6, described the commission’s priorities as disappointing, arguing that its actions could send the wrong message to young Nigerians.
“What a Pathetic commission, that leaves politicians stealing multi million embezzling public funds but they are after puny scam artist of 800$.
“What you are indirectly saying or teaching the youth is you can go into politics and embezzle you won’t be prosecuted,” the user wrote.
Another user, @Spinoza, accused the EFCC of targeting struggling young Nigerians while allegedly overlooking wealthy political figures.
“Politicians steal billions of dollars and y’all goes blind but immediately a frustrated Nigerian youth gets $100 y’all will mobilize your troops and storm their place to arrest them. Y’all are just pawns used by the elite and rich criminal politicians to oppress the poor,” the user stated.
Similarly, @dumbdalot questioned the money laundering charge, arguing that the commission should pay greater attention to the activities of public officials accused of corruption.
“Money laundering, stupid idiots. The politicians steal billions, they make the citizens poor and impoverished destroying the future of the youths, but your focus is on kids trying to make a living due to what those greedy animals in government has caused. You all will d!e,” the user wrote.
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Another commenter, Segun R. Sanni, @SegunOfLagost, raised questions about the fate of the other suspects arrested during the Applewood Estate operation.
“So, is this the only suspect from the massive raid carried out at Applewood Estate? Where are the others? Should we assume they somehow bailed themselves out and this poor boy was used as an alibi?” the user queried.
Also reacting, @Fw_Ghostxx expressed disappointment over what he described as misplaced priorities in the country’s fight against corruption.
“Nigeria is a pathetic country. It’s so sad to see what’s become of all tiers of the govt. Not one is trying to do the right thing.
“You have insane money laundering going on in the country, politicians hoarding. But nagift card you say you wan dey give descriptive essay abt. Sad,” the user stated.
Meanwhile, @astracoth argued that the resources deployed to arrest and prosecute the teenager could have been directed towards investigating alleged large-scale corruption.
“you deployed greater resources to apprehend a petty scam of $800 in which conviction ended with a fine while the same resources could have been used to nab political thief in the recovery of billions. No priority. just wasteful unending mary-go-round,” the user wrote.
Renewed Debate Over EFCC Priorities
The reactions have renewed public debate over the EFCC’s anti-corruption priorities, particularly concerns about whether the agency applies equal urgency to financial crimes involving ordinary citizens and powerful political figures.
While the criticism has centred on the amount involved in the gift card fraud, the case also highlights the commission’s continued efforts to prosecute internet fraud, even as Nigerians demand more visible action against alleged corruption involving public office holders.
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