Court jails Internet fraudster 6 months, orders forfeiture of $4,000
Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court Ibadan on Wednesday sentenced a 28-year-old internet fraudster, Olamilekan Taiwo to six months imprisonment for 4,000 dollars fraud.
Agomoh held that she convicted and sentenced Taiwo based on the evidence before her and Taiwo’s plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“This judgment is in line with the provision of section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 that spelt out how someone who enters a plea bargain agreement should be sentenced.
“Also, the convict did not waste the time and resources of the court before pleading guilty.
“By his action so far, he has shown that he is remorseful and willing to change for the better.
“However, to serve as deterrent to others still nursing the ambition of going into the crime and in accordance with the plea bargain agreement, the convict is sentenced to six months imprisonment.
“Sentence starts from the date he was first arrested.
“The proceeds of crime restituted by the convict are forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“In addition, the convict must write an undertaking to the EFCC upon completion of jail term to be of good behavior henceforth and never to participate in any form of crime again,” Agomoh held.
Earlier, Mr. S.M. Galadanchi, the EFCC counsel Ibadan Zonal Office informed the court that the convict was arraigned on a one-count amended charge bordering on impersonation.
Galadanchi said that EFCC operatives arrested Taiwo on Sept. 13, 2021 at his hideout in Ibadan, Oyo State, following intelligence reports from some Nigerians.
He said Taiwo specialises in deceiving internet users by presenting himself as a white American woman to suitors interested in him.
Galadanchi further stated that the convict handed over 4, 000 dollars (about N1. 7million), a Black Berry mobile phone and many incriminating documents to the EFCC.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of section 22(A) and (B) of the Cyber Crime and Prevention Act 2015.
