The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, on Friday, arrested two self-acclaimed herbalists over alleged involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud.
The duo, Ajisafe Toheeb and Ogundayo Usman, were arrested at the Soka Area of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, alongside twenty-four others, four of whom claimed to be students of the Lead City University.
According to a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, twenty two of the suspects have been indicted by the investigation, which is still ongoing.
He further gave the names of the suspects to include: Soyinka Emmanuel Oluwafemi, Olaoti Fawaz, Omoke Ogbonaya, Okhiria Alex, Olamilekan Ibrahim, Olagoke Olalekan, Adeniran Ibrahim Adesina, Olasupo Temitayo Ayomide, Adeniran Basit, Ogunsetan Gbolahan Oluwasegun, Balogun Salam Omolade and Olamilekan Ibrahim.
Others are Ilesanmi Mayowa, Amao Emmanuel Abiodun, Olakanmi Babatunde Abdulrahmon, Olasile Jide, Dauda Sodiq, Hammed Ayomide Rasheed, Sodiq Olaide, Idris Damilola Yusuf, Abdulramon Mubarak and Ogunbiyi Segun.
“They were arrested following verified intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber fraud.
“Items recovered from them include cars, mobile phones, television sets, Play Station5 and laptops, among others,” the statement added.
Five Persons Jailed for Impersonation
Meanwhile, Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan convicted five internet fraudsters for criminal impersonation.
The convicts, Ogunbayo Peter Oluwatobiloba (aka Racheal Brinkley), Charles Jude Albert, Kolawole Bankole Opeyemi, Bello Tobiloba Abdullahi and Obitokun Olugbade Solomon, were found guilty of impersonation, an offence which contravenes section 22(2)(b)(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b) of the same Act.
A statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says Bello and kolawole were convicted and sentenced to ten months imprisonment each; Ogunbayo, nine months; Obitokun, eight months, while Albert was sentenced to five months in prison, as the duo had earlier pleaded guilty to their respective charges in line with the conditions of the plea bargain agreement reached with the Commission.
Justice Agomoh also ordered Kolawole to restitute his victim for the sum of $5,100USD (Five Thousand, One Hundred United States Dollars). The convict is also to forfeit one iPhone 11 Pro Max and one iPhone 7 plus to the Federal Government.
Bello is also to restitute the sum of $200USD (Two Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim through the Federal Government of Nigeria and forfeits one black iPhone 11 to the Federal Government.
Ogunbayo is to restitute the sum of $500USD (Five Hundred United States Dollars) and N145, 000 (One Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand Naira) to his victim through the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In the same vein, Albert forfeits one iPhone 12, one iPhone 6, one Access Bank ATM card and one earpod to the Federal Government and also pay the sum of $400USD (Four Hundred United States Dollars) as restitution to his victim, while Obitokun was ordered to restitute the sum of $25USD (Twenty Five United States Dollars) to his victim, and also forfeit one Techno phone to the Federal Government.
PIAK
