By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Court of Appeal, Calabar division has affirmed the 235 years imprisonment slammed on a notorious international fraudster, Mr Scales Olatunji by a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Convict/Appellant, Scales Olatunji was arraigned before Justice Agatha Okeke by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on offences bothering on internet fraud and money laundering to the tune of N525 million.
Justice Okeke had on June 27, 2022 found Olatunji guilty on forty-five count charge of internet fraud and money laundering preferred against him by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Commission, (EFCC) and consequently, sentenced him to 235 years imprisonment, without an option of a fine.
The convict was arraigned sequel to the receipt of a petition by Oslo Police District, Norway, requesting the assistance of the Anti-graft Commission in investigating a network of Nigerian citizens, who had serially duped some Norwegians.
Investigations carried out showed that the convict belonged to a syndicate of internet fraudsters who specialized in Business Email Compromise, (BEC).
It was discovered that Olatunji defrauded the Norwegian Government and her citizens to the tune of N525, 172, 580 (Five Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira).
It was further discovered that he used the proceeds of the crime to purchase luxurious properties in choice areas within Lagos State, Nigeria.
According to the prosecution, the offence contravened the provisions of Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
But dissatisfied with the judgement of the High Court, Olatunji approached the Appeal Court where he raised 11 grounds of appeal and prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the High Court.
While arguing against the appeal, counsel to the EFCC, Nwandu Ukoha prayed the court to uphold the judgement of the lower court and dismiss the appeal on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubts”.
Delivering judgement last Friday, the three-man panel led by Justice Muhammed Baba Idris, upheld the conviction of Olatunji and dismissed his appeal.
