A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced two fraudsters for money laundering and fraudulent impersonation.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the convictions of Agboola Abdullahi Abiodun and Victor Okonjo before Justice F.N. Ogazi.
In a statement issued on Friday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said, the two men were separately arraigned on charges bordering on money laundering, cybercrime and fraudulent impersonation.
Agboola faced a three-count charge, including disguising proceeds from a dating scam through the purchase of a black Toyota Venza, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Okonjo was charged with two counts, including fraudulently impersonating Aaron Bauer, a male citizen of the United States, with the intention of gaining an advantage for himself.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, EFCC prosecutor F.B. Orilade reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Ogazi subsequently sentenced Agboola to four years’ imprisonment on count one, one year on count two and one year on count three.
Okonjo was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment with an option of a ₦500,000 fine on count one and four years’ imprisonment on count two.
The court ordered that the prison terms run concurrently, effective from the dates of their arrests.
Justice Ogazi also ordered the forfeiture of their mobile phones, laptops, a Toyota Venza and a 2020 Mercedes-Benz to the Federal Government.
The judge directed that the forfeited assets be sold and the proceeds returned to the victims. Where the victims cannot be traced, the proceeds are to be paid into the coffers of the Federal Government.
