Court Sentenced Six Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Ilorin

Once again, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin handed down convictions and sentences to a group of six internet fraudsters on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

The convicted individuals, Ismail Abdulbasit, Oladipo Victor, Ibrahim Oluwatosin, Ayantola Segun Samuel, Musbau Waris Atomo, and Babalola Rasaq Oluwadamilare, were found guilty after pleading to separate one-count charges brought against them by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abdulbasit, for instance, was charged with impersonating Jason Boone from the United States of America in February 2024 at Malete, Kwara State, an offence which contravenes Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015, and punishable under Section 22 (2)(b) (iv) of the same Act.

Upon their guilty pleas, EFCC counsels Innocent Mbachie and Charles Oni presented the case facts and submitted the defendants’ statements. Additionally, the prosecutor tendered various sums of money recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest as evidence.

In her ruling, Justice Anyadike imposed fines of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each on Oluwatosin, Oluwadamilare, and Atomo, while Victor, Abdulbasit, and Samuel were fined a sum of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each.

Furthermore, the judge decreed that all mobile phones confiscated from the convicts be forfeited to the government.

This latest sentencing adds to the tally of 30 individuals imprisoned out of the 48 students from Kwara State University (KWASU) apprehended in an EFCC sting operation targeting internet fraud.