Kwara Courts Jail Car Dealer, 5 Others for Internet Fraud

The Kwara State High Court has convicted and sentenced six individuals to jail for internet fraud in two separate cases. The convicts, who were all prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), include Akingbehin Oluwaseyi, Ajayi Olaoluwa, Samsom Ilesanmi, Quadri Lamidi, Kolawole Moses, and Olatunji Olabisi.

The charges against the six included retention of proceeds from criminal activities, cheating, impersonation, and internet fraud. The convicts pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read in court.

The cases were heard by Justices Haleema Saleeman and Mahmud Abdulgafar in Ilorin, Kwara State.

• Oluwaseyi, a 25-year-old car dealer, was sentenced by Justice Saleeman to one year in prison on Count One or a fine of N1,000,000. On Count Two, he received another one-year prison sentence or a fine of N707,562. Additionally, Oluwaseyi forfeited his two phones (used in committing the crime) and a 2009 Toyota Camry to the federal government.
• Olaoluwa was sentenced to one year in prison or to pay a fine of N500,000. His iPhone 13 Pro Max and $410 were also forfeited to the federal government.
• Ilesanmi was sentenced to four months in prison or a fine of N250,000. He also forfeited $150 and two phones, which were used in committing his crimes.
• Lamidi received a four-month prison sentence or a fine of N150,000 for Count One, three months or a N100,000 fine for Count Two, and two months or a N50,000 fine for Count Three. His sentences are to run concurrently. He also forfeited €325, $150 Canadian dollars, and two phones used in his fraudulent activities.
• Moses was given a three-month suspended sentence on Counts One and Two. He was also ordered to forfeit N330,000 and his iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• Olabisi was ordered to pay $25 (the remaining restitution from the proceeds of his crime). In addition, he forfeited $70 and his iPhone XR to the federal government.

The EFCC confirmed the convictions in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stating that all the convicts were arrested for internet fraud and convicted following due process.

This ruling highlights the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to clamp down on internet fraud in Nigeria and deter others from engaging in such illegal activities.