The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, convicted and sentenced seven men arrested in a sting operation linked to internet fraud at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convicts are Azeez Aliu Olalekan, Tijani Babatunde, David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa, Agada Prosper Osinakachukwu, Awwal Moshood, Amusa Wareez Oluwatobi, and Olujimi Damilola.
They were among 93 suspects apprehended during an EFCC operation on August 10, 2025. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, arraigned them before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on charges bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud.
The charge against Olalekan read: “That you, AZEEZ ALIU OLALEKAN, (male) between 2020 and 2025 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently opened a Gmail Account, wherein you represented yourself as Mary Latham, a United States of America citizen, with intent to gain advantage for yourself, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”
Similarly, Babatunde was charged: “That you, Tijani Babatunde (male), sometime in 2025, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently held out yourself on your Whatsapp account, as Beth Lee an American Female Citizen, to unsuspecting members of the public, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”
Other charges included Ogunmuyiwa’s impersonation of “Mountain Girls Sarah” on Facebook, Osinakachukwu’s impersonation of “Rachel Starr,” Moshood’s impersonation of “Miss Mary Moody,” Oluwatobi’s impersonation of British content creator Will Parfitt on Instagram, and Damilola’s impersonation of “Karlee Grey” on Facebook.
All seven defendants pleaded guilty.
Prosecution counsel Pereagbe Ebareotu, Ayanfe Olowonihi, and S.M. Yabo presented evidence including mobile devices, restitution drafts, and forensic reports, which the court admitted as exhibits.
Justice Dipeolu, after considering their guilty pleas and the evidence, convicted them accordingly.
Olalekan, who confessed to benefiting $1,500, was sentenced to three months imprisonment with the option of a ₦500,000 fine. His iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung S10E, and ₦1.2m restitution cheque were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Babatunde, who admitted earning between ₦5m and ₦10m, was jailed three months or fined ₦1m, with his iPhone 13 and ₦4m restitution forfeited.
Ogunmuyiwa, who benefited ₦70,000, received one month imprisonment with the option of ₦200,000 fine, and forfeited his iPhone 16 and restitution cheque.
Osinakachukwu was sentenced to three months or a ₦200,000 fine, with his iPhone 12 Pro Max forfeited.
Moshood, who admitted receiving 600 Australian Dollars, got three months imprisonment or a ₦750,000 fine. His iPhone 11 and ₦400,000 restitution cheque were forfeited.
Oluwatobi, who benefited $200, received three months imprisonment with a ₦300,000 fine option. His iPhone 13 and ₦200,000 restitution cheque were forfeited.
Damilola, who confessed to benefiting $150, received the heaviest sentence—six months imprisonment with an option of ₦6m fine. His iPhone 12 and ₦1m restitution cheque were forfeited.
The EFCC stated that the convictions further demonstrate its resolve to curb cybercrime.
