Nigeria’s popular singer, Tiwa Savage, was recently the target of cybercriminals who threatened her life and attempted to defraud her. Four individuals were arraigned before a magistrates’ court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, for their alleged involvement in the crime.
The defendants, Eniola Adeniyi, Donatus Osabanumonu, Idorenyi Okon, and Michael Rodolphe, were charged with conspiracy, intent to defraud, and threat to life by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. The prosecutor, Idowu Oshubure, told the court that the defendants committed the offense on or before April 13, 2023.
According to Oshunbure, the offenses contravened and are punishable under Sections 411 and 388 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and Section 14(3) of the Cyber Crime Prohibition Prevention Act, 2015. The charge read in part, “That you, Eniola Adeniyi, Donatus Osabanumonu, Idorenyi Okon, Michael Rodolphe, and others at large on or before April 13, 2023, in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of Lagos, in this honorable court, with intent to commit the offense, fraudulently conspired among yourselves to conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, to the annoyance of one Tiwa Savage, and you thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 411 Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“That you, on the aforementioned date within the same court jurisdiction, with intent to defraud, did fraudulently send messages to one Tiwa Savage through phone no 09061665942, which caused her reasonable apprehension of threat to her life, and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 14(3) of the Cyber Crime Prohibition Prevention Act, 2015,” News About Nigeria reports.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them in English Language, and the counsel prayed the court to grant the defendants bail. Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, after going through their case file and the consent of the prosecutor who did not object to bail, granted them bail in the sum of N300,000 with one responsible surety each in like sum.
Tiwa Savage’s case is a wake-up call for celebrities to be cautious of their online activities and to take proactive measures to protect themselves from cyber threats. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics, and it’s imperative that everyone, including celebrities, stays alert and takes measures to safeguard their personal information.
The court adjourned the case to May 31, 2013, for the mention, and the investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the cybercrime. The incident underscores the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and highlights the crucial role of law enforcement in apprehending cybercriminals and bringing them to justice.
