The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, has secured the conviction and sentencing of thirteen (13) internet fraudsters to various jail terms before Justices Ladiran Akintola, Mojeed Oladimeji Ishola, and Omolara Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, and Justice Patricia Iroawuchi Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, and Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State.
The convicts were arraigned on separate one-count charges each, except Olanrewaju Idris Arogundade, who was docked on two counts.
The other convicts are: Hassan Abass Adisa, Kazeem Waris Ayinde, Paul James Otegwu, John Ukoro Amuta, Lawal Ibrahim Ayomide, Olajide Femi Owo, Hammed Samad Abiola, Gbolahan Qudus Ajadi, Elijah Olalekan Oyedeji, Ajari Oghenekewe, Odunayo Oluwafunke Omotosho, and Olanigbehin Gbenga Faith.
In her judgement, Justice Ajoku found Arogundade guilty of the charges filed against him and consequently convicted and sentenced him to two years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Furthermore, the courts convicted and sentenced Adisa, Amuta, Ayomide, Owo, and Ajadi to one year of imprisonment each, while Oghenekewe bagged an eight-month jail term without the option of a fine.
Also, Ayinde, Omotosho, Faith, and Abiola bagged six months of community service each; Elijah, three months of community service or a N50, 000.00 (fifty thousand naira) fine; and Otegwu was sentenced to one month of community service.
However, Adisa was given a N250, 000.00 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira) fine; Amuta, Ayomide, Omotosho, and Owo were given a N200, 000.00 (two hundred thousand naira) fine each; and Ajadi got a N100, 000.00 (one hundred thousand naira) fine in lieu of his sentencing.
The court ordered that the convicts restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.