On Monday, October 14, 2024, the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secure the conviction of six persons for internet fraud before two courts in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
The convicts, who are Idris Muhammed, Ismail Temitope Mustapha, Oyekola Odunayo, Anthony Sylvester Stephen, Timilehin Adeniyi, and Olayiwola Ayomide Abdulmalik, were prosecuted for impersonation and defrauding unsuspecting victims. Justice Sulaiman Akanbi jailed Idris, Ismail, Oyekola, and Anthony, while Justice Adebayo Yusuf convicted Timilehin and Olayiwola.
Idris Muhammed was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine and ordered to forfeit his iPhone 13 and $300 to the Federal Government. Ismail Temitope Mustapha got one year imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine and had to forfeit his iPhone 11 Promax and $300.
Oyekola Odunayo received a cumulative sentence of one year imprisonment on count one with an option of N100,000 fine, two years imprisonment on count two with an option of N200,000 fine, and two weeks community service on count three with a fine of N50,000. He also forfeited $300 and N34,900 to the Federal Government.
Anthony Sylvester Stephen was jailed for one year with an option of N50,000 fine and had to forfeit his iPhone 12 and $25. Timilehin Adeniyi and Olayiwola Ayomide Abdulmalik were each sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine and forfeited their phones and restitution funds to the Federal Government.
The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, and the court accepted evidence presented by EFCC prosecutors Andrew Akoja and Victoria Igodo, including extra-judicial statements, recovered items, and the money obtained from their illicit activities.
