Seven individuals involved in internet fraud have been sentenced to jail terms by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adio Peter Olakunle, Adebanjo Oluwafemi Samuel, Ezekiel Papi Kolawole, Lukman Olakunle Alabi, Sakiru Olamilekan Usman, Godwin Moses Abaka, and Amosu Oladele Gbenonu were each charged separately before Justices M.O. Ishola, O.A. Lajide, and S.O. Adeniyi of the Oyo State High Court and the Ogun State High Court.
One of the charges against Gbenonu stated that he falsely represented himself as Sarah Williams, a white woman from the United States, with the intent to defraud Karl Ackman. Gbenonu was found guilty of personation.
All of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them by the EFCC. The prosecution presented several incriminating documents, and after reviewing the facts of the cases, the courts convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly.
Justice Lajide sentenced Gbenonu, Abaka, Usman, and Kolawole to six months of community service each, while Alabi received a two-month community service sentence. Samuel was sentenced to six months of community service by Justice Ishola, and Justice Adeniyi sentenced Olakunle to four months of community service.
In addition to their jail terms, Gbenonu was ordered to pay a fine of N2 million, Abaka to pay N1 million, Usman to pay N800,000, and Kolawole to pay N400,000. The convicts were also ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit any items recovered from them to the Nigerian government.
The individuals were apprehended by EFCC operatives for internet-related offenses and have now been successfully investigated, prosecuted, and convicted. They have been transported to the Correctional Centre to serve their sentences.
