No fewer than 32 individuals have been convicted of Internet fraud by various courts in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The convictions were secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Directorate, on separate one-count charges related to impersonation and other cyber-related offenses.
Delivering the judgments on Wednesday, Justices Ladiran Akintola, O.S. Adeyemi, K.B. Olawoyin, and G.A. Sunmonu of the Oyo State High Court, along with Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, sentenced the fraudsters to varying jail terms and community service. The sentencing was based on their guilty pleas to the charges filed against them by the EFCC.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the convictions in an official statement, outlining the penalties imposed on the offenders.
According to the statement, Justice K.B. Olawoyin sentenced Olajide Peter to two years in prison, with an option of a N500,000 fine, while Ayodeji was sentenced to one year behind bars with an option of a N250,000 fine. Justice Nkeonye Maha sentenced Abayomi to a one-year term, also with a N250,000 fine option.
Further sentences were handed down by Justice O.S. Adeyemi, who imposed a one-year jail term without an option of a fine on Oriyomi and Ibrahim. Similarly, Ayobami, Abdullahi, and Ayinde were sentenced to six months of community service each, while Ojo, Mustapha, and Adebesin received three months of community service without an option of a fine.
The convictions are part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and deter individuals from engaging in fraudulent online activities. The commission has continued to crack down on perpetrators of Internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys,” across Nigeria.
Over the years, cybercrime has remained a pressing issue in the country, with authorities ramping up efforts to address the menace through arrests, prosecutions, and public sensitization campaigns.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to bringing cybercriminals to justice and urged young Nigerians to desist from engaging in fraudulent activities, emphasizing that the consequences of Internet fraud are severe and damaging to the nation’s reputation.
The agency also called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to educate young people on the dangers of cyber fraud and encourage them to pursue legitimate means of livelihood.
With the increasing rate of cyber-related offenses in Nigeria, the EFCC continues to intensify its operations, warning that more arrests and convictions will follow as part of its mandate to sanitize the digital space.
This latest batch of convictions in Ibadan serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions of engaging in online fraud, as authorities remain resolute in their efforts to curb financial crimes and uphold the rule of law in the country.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
