Eleven Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Kwara

Ilorin, Kwara State – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction and sentencing of eleven internet fraudsters before two separate courts in Kwara State. The convictions, which took place before Justices Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court and Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ilorin, underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to curb cybercrime in the region.

The convicted individuals are Mathew Stephen Yaba, Samuel Stephen Ayomide, Bamidele Favour Olajide, Isah Kadir, Abdulrasaq Jubril, Samuel Peter Juwon, Omolaiye Stephen Benefit, Kayode Emmanuel Opeyemi, Abdulrahim Lasisi, Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael, and Moshood Abduljawad. Their offenses included impersonation, obtaining under false pretense, retention of proceeds of crime, and internet fraud.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Following their pleas, prosecution counsels Aliyu Adebayo, Andrew Akoja, and Omolade Ajibola presented evidence, including extra-judicial statements from the defendants, items recovered during their arrests, and traced funds, all of which were admitted in evidence by the courts.

Sentences Handed Down
Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered the judgments for ten of the convicts:

1.Mathew Stephen Yaba was sentenced to nine months imprisonment without an option of fine. His iPhone 13 and N200,000 were forfeited to the federal government.

2.Samuel Stephen Ayomide also received nine months imprisonment without an option of fine. He forfeited $535 and his iPhone 16.

3.Bamidele Favour Olajide was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, forfeiting his iPhone X, Samsung A05, and $50.

4.Isah Kadir was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service (five hours per day) and forfeited his Infinix Hot 10 Light.

5.Samuel Peter Juwon received a 12-month imprisonment without an option of fine, with his iPhone 6, iPhone XR, iPhone 13, HP laptop, and $500 forfeited.

6.Omolaiye Stephen Benefit was jailed for nine months without an option of fine, forfeiting his phones and N1 million.

7.Kayode Emmanuel Opeyemi was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine, forfeiting his phone and N500,000.

8.Abdulrahim Lasisi was given 150 hours of community service (five hours per day) and forfeited his Samsung S9.

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9 Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael and Moshood Abduljawad were sentenced to 12 and six months imprisonment respectively, without options of fine. They are also to restitute N500,000 and $190 respectively to their victims and forfeited their phones.

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar presided over the case of:

1.Abdulrasaq Jubril, who received a six-month suspended sentence. His iPhone 12 was forfeited, and he is to restitute $290 to his victim.

These convictions are part of a broader crackdown on internet fraud by the EFCC in Kwara State, with several similar cases reported in recent months. The commission continues to emphasize that it will pursue all those involved in cybercrime, ensuring they face the full consequences of their actions.