Fraudsters in Ibadan Sentenced and Fined, Forced to Surrender N7M and Car

In a significant victory against cybercrime, an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced three individuals involved in internet fraud.

The culprits, identified as Yusuf Nurudeen Mayowa, Alloy Wisdom Chibuzor, and Muheez Adeshina Ayomide, were found guilty of various offenses related to fraudulent activities conducted online, News About Nigeria reports.

Yusuf Nurudeen Mayowa was arraigned on a charge of aiding the commission of a felony, specifically obtaining property by false pretenses, as stipulated by Sections 7(b) and 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Chibuzor and Ayomide, on the other hand, were charged with personation, an offense contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

During their court appearance before Justice Ladiran Akintola, all three defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charges brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, Samsuddeen Bashir and Mabas Mabur presented a compelling case, submitting numerous documentary evidence, which was admitted and marked as exhibits. The prosecution requested the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Considering the gravity of their crimes, Justice Akintola convicted and handed down sentences to the accused individuals. Yusuf Nurudeen Mayowa was sentenced to six months of community service and ordered to pay a fine of N200,000.

Alloy Wisdom Chibuzor and Muheez Adeshina Ayomide, on the other hand, each received three months of community service, along with fines of N100,000 and N50,000, respectively.

In addition to the penalties imposed, the court ruled that Yusuf Nurudeen Mayowa must forfeit a sum of Seven Million, Three Hundred and Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy-eight Naira (N7,305,978) to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The amount was traced to his Guaranty Trust Bank account, with the number 0209559041. Furthermore, Mayowa was also required to surrender his Toyota Camry Saloon car, among other assets.

The court further ordered Chibuzor and Ayomide, along with other convicts, to forfeit all items recovered from them during the investigation. Additionally, the defendants were instructed to make restitution to their respective victims.

This conviction and subsequent sentencing serve as a stern warning to those engaged in internet fraud and cybercrime. The Nigerian government, through the EFCC, remains committed to curbing the activities of fraudsters and ensuring that justice is served.