The Federal High Court has convicted eight internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to cybercrime charges after their arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abeokuta.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu delivered the conviction at the Lagos Judicial Division.
The convicts were among 93 suspects nabbed in a sting operation at a hotel on the premises of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex.
They faced charges of obtaining money under false pretences, identity theft, and romance scams in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
Investigators told the court that incriminating evidence, including iPhones and fraudulent documents, tied the defendants to online scams. Some admitted to making millions from romance fraud and tendered restitution via manager’s cheques. The exhibits were admitted without objection.
Jinadu Rasaq Gbenisola and Salami Ponmile Basiru were sentenced to three months imprisonment each, with options of N500,000 and N2 million fines respectively, and both forfeited their iPhones.
Tijani Babatunde, who confessed to earning between N5 million and N10 million from romance scams, received three months’ imprisonment or a N1 million fine. He forfeited his iPhone 13 and refunded N4 million.
David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa, arrested with an iPhone 16, was sentenced to one month imprisonment or a N200,000 fine, with restitution of N70,000.
Agada Prosper received three months imprisonment or a N200,000 fine, and forfeited his iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Awal Yusuf, who benefited $600 from romance fraud, was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a N700,000 fine, while forfeiting his iPhone 11 and a $300 manager’s cheque.
Amsa Lawal Oluwatobi was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a N300,000 fine, with forfeiture of his iPhone 13 and a N200,000 bank draft.
Yusuf Damilola, who admitted obtaining 6,000 Canadian dollars and $150 through scams, received six months imprisonment or a N6 million fine, and forfeited his iPhone 12 alongside a N1 million cheque.
Justice Dipeolu held that the EFCC had proved its case beyond doubt and ruled that the sentences would serve as punishment and deterrence.
Another defendant who pleaded not guilty was remanded pending trial.
On Tuesday, Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Yusuf Ramon and Ganiyu Ibrahim.
The duo was also among the 93 suspects arrested during a sting operation on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at a hotel located within the OOPL premises.
On Monday, the EFCC secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters who were also arrested within OOPL premises in Abeokuta.
The defendants, Adewale Adewole Adenekan, Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, and Adisa Okikiade, were arraigned and convicted after pleading guilty to various cybercrime-related offences filed by the EFCC.
On August 15, SaharaReporters similarly reported that the EFCC had secured the convictions of three internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to various cybercrime-related offences, while a fourth defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Justice Dipeolu convicted the trio, identified as Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, who were among 93 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the agency within the OOPL premises.
