By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The battle against Cyber Crime seems to be yielding results as the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction and sentencing of five internet fraudsters by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Special Offences Court, Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
They are: Andre Agbai Kalu, Olaide Ibrahim Oladimeji, Michael Fatuase Makanjuola, Erekefi Omuedi and Bakare Daniel Oluwadamilare.
They were arraigned on February 18, 2021 on separate charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Upon their arraignment, they pleaded “guilty” to the charge.
In view of their plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima reviewed the case before the Court and tendered documents printed from their email accounts, as well as items recovered from them.
In his judgement, Justice Taiwo found them guilty of the offence and sentenced each of them to six months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N200,000.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota 4Runner SUV, Lexus RX 330 and mobile devices recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a related development, operatives of the the EFCC, Lagos zone on March 2, 2021 arrested 13 persons for their alleged involvement in cyber-crime.
They suspects are: Idris Ridwan, Shonnaike Adejumobi, Afeez Kareem, Adedire David, Muodozie Patrick, Abidemi Smart, Damilare Gabriel, Foluwako David, Adeleye Smart, Jimoh Olaitan, Olabode Thomas, Akinseye Mayowa and Macaulay Olawale.
They were arrested in their hideout at Gabriel Ajawa Close, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.
According to the Anti-graft agency, the will soon be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is completed.