Owoeye Joshua
The Lagos Command of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has consummated the sentence of one internet fraudster to one-year imprisonment before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
It was reported by EFCC that Opeyemi Fatoyinbo, the accused was arrested on July 29, 2021, during a sting operation at Rollace Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos, following intelligence on the activities of some persons allegedly involved in fraudulent online activities.
The amended one count preferred against him reads: “ That you, Opeyemi Fatoyinbo, on or about 29th July 2021, in Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, retained in your possession the aggregate sum of $650.00( Six Hundred and Fifty US Dollars)and one Samsung phone, being proceeds from a criminal conduct, deceitfully obtained from unsuspecting members of the public.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge.
In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the facts of the matter and tendered the defendant’s statement to the EFCC as well as the fraudulent documents recovered from his email accounts which were admitted in evidence against the defendant.
He, therefore, prayed to the court to convict him accordingly.
Consequently, Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment, with an option of a fine of N500, 000.
He was ordered to make restitution of the sum of N300, 000 to the EFCC Recovery account.
The Samsung mobile phone recovered from him was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convict was also ordered to sign an undertaking not to be involved in any criminal activity within or outside the country.
