Another set of eight internet fraudsters arrested at a hotel located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta; Ogun State Capital have been convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos
Penpushing reports that the convicts who were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the library complex on August 15, 2025 when arraigned pleaded guilty to cybercrime charges.
The judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, while delivering his judgement on Wednesday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved its case through evidence and the defendants’ admissions.
Penpushing further reports that Dipeolu convicted the defendants of offences including obtaining money under false pretence, identity theft, and romance scams, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
The convicts were part of 93 suspects apprehended during a sting operation at the hotel, while during the trial one of nine defendants, eight pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Penpushing also reports that the anti-crimes investigators told the court that incriminating evidence, including iPhones and fraudulent documents retrieved from the defendants’ devices, linked them to online scams.
The convicts admitted to earning millions of naira through romance fraud and tendered restitution in bank drafts and manager’s cheques, all of which were admitted as exhibits without objection.
Penpushing reports that the judge in his ruling, sentenced Jinadu Rasaq Gbenisola to three months imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine, while Salami Ponmile Basiru received the same term with an option of a N2 million fine and the duo forfeited their iPhones to the Nigerian government.
The court equally sentenced Tijani Babatunde to three months imprisonment or a N1 million fine after admitting to romance scams through which he made between N5 million and N10 million, and also forfeited his iPhone 13 and refunded N4 million via bank draft.
Penpushing further reports that David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa, arrested with an iPhone 16, was sentenced to one month imprisonment or a N200,000 fine, and made restitution of N70,000, while Agada Prosper bagged three months imprisonment or a N200,000 fine and forfeited his iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The judge in same vein sentenced Awal Yusuf, who benefited $600 from romance fraud, to three months imprisonment with an option of a N700,000 fine; his iPhone 11 and a $300 manager’s cheque were forfeited.
Penpushing also reports that Amsa Lawal Oluwatobi was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of a N300,000 fine, and forfeited his iPhone 13 and a N200,000 bank draft.
The ninth convict, Yusuf Damilola admitted to obtaining 6,000 Canadian dollars and $150 through romance scams, and was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a N6 million fine, and forfeited his iPhone 12 and a N1 million manager’s cheque.
Penpushing reports that the judge ruled that the sentences would serve both as punishment and deterrence, while one other defendant who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody pending trial.
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