The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday convicted three internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to cybercrime-related offences, while ordering the remand of a fourth defendant who denied the charges.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu delivered the ruling following the guilty pleas entered by Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, who were among 93 suspects arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a 2025 raid at a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The defendants were charged with offences including identity theft, obtaining money under false pretence, and impersonation, contrary to the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
An EFCC operative, Umar Shuaibu, testified that Akinwale operated online scams by posing as a woman and defrauding a victim of $500 through a “celebrity scam.” Prosecuting counsel Franklin Ofoma presented evidence before the court, which included a 2007 Toyota Camry, a Samsung Galaxy phone, and a bank draft of ₦400,000.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently handed down the following sentences: Isaac Akinwale was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million; Ibrahim Olatunji received one month’s imprisonment or a fine of ₦500,000 for a romance scam; and Habeeb Oshundairo was ordered to complete 30 days of community service, including carrying a banner that reads, “Cybercrime Does Not Pay. Stay Away from Cybercrime.” Oshundairo was convicted on two counts of impersonation and retaining ₦600,000 in criminal proceeds.
Meanwhile, the fourth defendant, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan, pleaded not guilty to allegations of posing as “Nurse Becky” on Facebook and fraudulently obtaining $50. His defence counsel challenged the validity of the charge, arguing that the section of the Cybercrimes Act cited did not exist. However, the court rejected the argument and ordered that Olamilekan be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending trial on October 31, 2025.
According to the EFCC, Akinwale operated WhatsApp accounts under the names “Monica” and “Daisy” to deceive unsuspecting victims for personal gain. Oshundairo allegedly used the email address perezdavis2377@gmail.com, posing as an expert in service certificates and tax documentation to mislead members of the public. Olamilekan was accused of operating a Facebook account under joypitard86@gmail.com, impersonating a nurse named “Nurse Becky” to lure and defraud individuals online.
The EFCC stated that investigations into the wider activities of the suspects are still ongoing.
