Footballer, two others jailed for cybercrime in Kwara

By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced a self-acclaimed footballer, Musa Ayomide Olasunkanmi, and two others, Owolabi Bolaji Abduljeleel and Ayomide Fawas Olaoye for offences bordering on cybercrime, personation, and retention of proceeds of crime.

Justice Haleema Saleeman, in separate judgments on Monday, found the three guilty on multiple counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate.

According to the EFCC, Olasunkanmi, who claimed to be a footballer, retained over ₦3.4 million in his Kuda Microfinance Bank account, traced to fraudulent online activities. He also defrauded two foreign victims one Karyn of $500 and another, Courtney Rouse, of $1,000 through a fake romantic relationship.

Delivering judgment, Justice Saleeman sentenced Olasunkanmi to a total of 18 months imprisonment, with an option of fines ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000, and ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone XS Max, Samsung S9, and $1,000 recovered from him to the Federal Government.

In similar rulings, Ayomide Fawas Olaoye (alias Lizzy) was convicted for retaining ₦2.06 million in his Moniepoint account, proceeds of cyber fraud. He bagged 13 months imprisonment or a total fine of ₦650,000, while his iPhone 14 Pro Max, $350, and a motorcycle were forfeited to the government.

Also, Owolabi Bolaji Abduljeleel was convicted for attempting to cheat by personation after posing online as “Rohan Scailet,” a fictitious American woman, to defraud one “Matt.” He was fined ₦70,000, while his iPhone XS Max and Samsung Galaxy S9 were forfeited to the Federal Government.

The EFCC, represented by counsel Andrew Akoja and Omolade Ajibola, reviewed the facts through witnesses and tendered exhibits including confessional statements, recovered devices, and evidence of restitution.

Justice Saleeman commended the EFCC for diligent prosecution and reaffirmed the court’s commitment to curbing cybercrime among youths in the state.