Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibadan zonal office on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 secured seven convictions before Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State.
This was disclosed by the Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement.
He gave the names of the convicts as Oshoboke Sasaeniyan Joseph, Disu Faruk Timileyin, Lawal Emmanuel Olajide, Oyebanji Olabisi Oluwafemi, Adeleke Kehinde Abdulafeez, Adebola Adedare Temtope and Opeyemi Adedamola.
It was learnt that the accused were convicted of fraudulent impersonation, contrary to section 22(2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and sentenced to various jail terms.
They all pleaded guilty to the one count charge of impersonation, separately filed against them by the EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.
Their ‘guilty’ plea was part of the plea bargain agreement with the Commission.
After taking their pleas, prosecution counsels, Oyelakin Oyediran and Shamsuddeen Bashir, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
Uwujaren said that Justice Abubakar convicted and sentenced Adeleke to four months imprisonment, with an option of N100,000 fine.
Oshoboke, Oyebanji, Adebola and Lawal were sentenced to three months imprisonment, with an option of N100,000 fine each, while Disu was given three-month jail term, with an option of fine of N50,000.
The court also ordered the convicts to make restitution to their victims, with the payment of $700 by Adeleke, $2,000 by Oshoboke, $287 by Oyebanji, $2,830 by Disu and N2,813,749 million by Adebola.
Similarly, Justice Bayo Taiwo of Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, also convicted and sentenced one Opeyemi Adedamola (a.k.a James Marion) to three months community service.
Uwujaren said that Adedamola was found guilty of a count charge of impersonation.
The offence is contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
He was also ordered to restitute the sum of $700 to his victim.
The Media and Publicity Head stated further that the convicts are to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
