The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters arrested in connection with a sting operation at a hotel located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, sentenced the convicts—Christian Okoli, Adeleye Emmanuel, Akinyele Kehinde Fatai, Shonekan Waris Bolaji, and Olufemi Korede Ayomiposi—after they all pleaded guilty to charges ranging from impersonation to romance scams.
Details of Convictions
- Christian Okoli was arrested in July 2025 for online romance scams. A Samsung S23 Ultra and incriminating documents were recovered from him, alongside a N300,000 refund to the EFCC. He was sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of N1 million, with the phone and funds forfeited to the Federal Government.
- Adeleye Emmanuel, caught during the August 10 OOPL raid, confessed to romance scams. He was sentenced to one month of community service, during which he must publicly display a placard reading “crime does not pay” between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
- Akinyele Kehinde Fatai admitted receiving $2,000 from scams and refunded N500,000 via a bank draft. He was sentenced to six months in prison or a N3 million fine.
- Shonekan Waris Bolaji confessed to engaging in romance scams since 2024 and claimed links with a U.S.-based gang member serving time in California. He received a 30-day jail term effective from his arrest date, August 10.
- Olufemi Korede Ayomiposi admitted to making $2,800 from scams. He refunded N1 million and forfeited an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an Android phone. He was sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment starting from his arrest.
Background
The August 10 sting at the OOPL led to the arrest of 93 suspects linked to cybercrime. Since then, Justice Dipeolu has convicted several others in separate trials.
- On August 21, two suspects, Asimiyu Oluwaponmile Olatunji and Hassan Makinde, were sentenced for internet fraud.
- On August 20, eight others were convicted after pleading guilty to cybercrime charges.
- On August 19, two suspects, Yusuf Ramon and Ganiyu Ibrahim, were sentenced.
- On August 18, three others, Adewale Adewole Adenekan, Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, and Adisa Okikiade, were convicted.
- Earlier, on August 15, three internet fraudsters—Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo—were also jailed.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to curbing cybercrime, warning young Nigerians against engaging in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
