Ibadan Court Jails Three Internet Fraudsters

A Judge in the federal high court in Ibadan Oyo State, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Wednesday sentenced three internet fraudsters to prison on the charge count against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The culprits identified as Jamal Ajao, Joel Olawale and Tobi Kehinde were re-arraigned in court after approaching the commission for a plea bargain.

It was gathered that Ajao and Olawale were jointly brought before the court on an amended charge of fraudulent impersonation contrary to Section 27(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act and they plead guilty of the charge.

The Counsel of the EFCC, Oyelakin Oyediran then prayed the court to sentence them to prison according to the term of plea bargain agreement.

The justice then sentenced them to six years imprisonment each.

Kehinde was tried separately and was originally arraigned in June 28 on three counts bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, contrary to sections 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The presiding judge then sentenced him to one-year imprisonment

Justice Abdulmalik also ordered Kehinde to forfeit his iPhone 6s plus, a Nokia phone, an HP Laptop, a ZTE WiFi modem and an Itel phone to the Federal Government while Ajao and Joel are to pay their victim through the Federal Government a sum of $800 in restitution.

All other items recovered from them during the investigation are also forfeited.