From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction of nine individuals involved in various cybercrime-related offences before federal and state high courts sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Those convicted include Otitoju Moses Sesan, Ayodele Joseph Daisi, Adeoye Joseph, Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik, Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, Afolabi Faith Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek.
The convictions were secured before Justices Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, and Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court, all sitting in Ilorin.
The charges against them ranged from internet fraud, impersonation, and conspiracy to unlawful possession and retention of criminal proceeds.
Otitoju Moses Sesan, a 31-year-old gospel musician, was convicted for retaining N8.4 million, suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities, in his UBA account.
He was sentenced alongside Daisi, Joseph, and Abdulmalik by Justice Awogboro after the prosecution, represented by counsels Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama, presented confessional statements, exhibits, and recovered funds in court.
Ayodele Joseph Daisi was sentenced to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine. He also forfeited a Tecno 19 phone and N243,750 found in his UBA account.
Adeoye Joseph received eight months imprisonment without an option of fine, and forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9 phone.
Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik was sentenced to six months in prison and forfeited an iPhone 16 and a Samsung S10 phone.
Before Justice Sulaiman Akanbi, Abdulkadir Taofeek was sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine.
He also forfeited N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone.
Justice Haleema Saleeman sentenced Emeka Achi, Isaac Oluwafemi, and Afolabi Olatoye to six months imprisonment each, with an option of N100,000 fine.
In addition, Achi was ordered to refund N3.35 million within three months and report fortnightly to the EFCC with his parents until the full refund is made.
Zubeiru Junior was sentenced to one year and three months imprisonment, with an option of N350,000 fine.
He also forfeited an iPhone XR and $325 to the federal government.
The convictions mark a continued crackdown on internet-related crimes by the EFCC in the North Central region
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