Lagos Court Hands Down Jail Sentences To Two Fraudsters

Lagos Court Hands Down Jail Sentences To Two Fraudsters

In a significant victory against cybercrime, Justices Deinde Dipeolu and N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Lagos have delivered guilty verdicts and sentences to two internet fraudsters, Oluwafemi Abdulwaheed Rasaq and Chris Onabulu, for their involvement in romance scams and impersonation.

The convictions come as a result of their pleas of guilt to separate charges brought against them by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), underscoring the serious consequences of engaging in cybercrimes.

Rasaq was found guilty of fraudulently impersonating an individual on social media platforms with the intent to deceive and gain advantage for himself. Justice Dipeolu sentenced him to four weeks of community service under the supervision of the EFCC, coupled with counselling to deter him from further criminal activities. Additionally, he was ordered to forfeit seized assets, including a manager’s cheque, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Similarly, Onabulu was convicted for impersonating a white male from the United States to perpetrate fraudulent activities. Justice Ogazi sentenced him to six months imprisonment or payment of a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), along with the forfeiture of recovered items to the government.

The prosecutions, led by counsels C.C. Okezie and Z.B. Atiku, emphasized the gravity of cybercrimes and advocated for appropriate punishment. Despite the defence’s plea for leniency, the courts upheld the need for deterrent sentences to curb the prevalence of such offenses.

These convictions serve as a stern warning to would-be cybercriminals and highlight the EFCC’s relentless efforts in combating online fraud. As technology evolves, law enforcement remains vigilant in safeguarding digital spaces and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.