Abeokuta – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the convictions of three internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to various cybercrime-related offences, while a fourth defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, sitting as a vacation judge, convicted Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo among 93 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the EFCC at a hotel within the premises of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta.
The convicts faced multiple charges bordering on false pretence, identity theft, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
During the proceedings, EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu testified that Akinwale used a false female identity to run an online celebrity scam, defrauding a victim of $500.
The prosecution, led by Franklin Ofoma, tendered as exhibits a 2007 Toyota Camry, a Galaxy phone, and a bank draft of N400,000.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced Isaac Akinwale to three months’ imprisonment or a N1million fine, while Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment or a N500,000 fine for a romance scam.
Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo was sentenced to 30 days of community service, which includes carrying a banner reading: **“Cybercrime Does Not Pay. Stay Away from Cybercrime”**, after conviction on two counts of impersonation and retaining N600,000 in criminal proceeds.
In contrast, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonating **“Nurse Becky”** on Facebook and retaining $50 obtained through fraud.
His lawyer challenged the validity of the charge, arguing that the cited section of the Cybercrimes Act did not exist.
Justice Dipeolu ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending trial on **October 31, 2025**.
Full Charges Against the Defendants:
1. Isaac Akinwale:
– Fraudulently posing as a female (Monica and Daisy) on WhatsApp to deceive the public, contrary to Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
– Retaining $500 obtained through fraud, contrary to Section 17 of the EFCC Act, 2004.
2. Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo:
– Impersonating an expert in service certificates and revenue preparation via Gmail (perezdavis2377@gmail.com), contrary to Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
– Retaining N600,000 in fraudulent proceeds, contrary to Section 17 of the EFCC Act.
3. Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan:
– Impersonating “Nurse Becky” on Facebook (joypitard86@gmail.com), contrary to Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
– Retaining $50 obtained through fraud, contrary to Section 17 of the EFCC Act.
The EFCC had initially filed charges against 23 suspected fraudsters, but the court was only able to accommodate four of the defendants at this time.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
