Court Jails Woman in Lagos for Obtaining N4.5m Under False Pretence

Court Jails Woman in Lagos for Obtaining N4.5m Under False Pretence

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of Hannah Okunlola Adesokan before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on July 3, 2025. Adesokan was initially arraigned on May 23, 2025, along with six others on an eight-count charge concerning conspiracy and obtaining N8.5 billion through false pretenses. The other co-defendants were Samuel Ihechukwu, Fabian Chizaram, Kingsley Kelechi Ejim, who are employees of a first-generation bank, as well as Hamza Zakariya, Achionu Chukwuka Ubaku, and Sunday Osademe.

Adesokan initially pleaded not guilty but switched her plea to guilty during the re-arraignment on an amended charge. She was found guilty of retaining control of N4.5 million that was part of the total fraudulently obtained funds, which were derived from illegal cyber-criminal activities.

The presiding judge, Justice Osiagor, sentenced her to six months' imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the N4.5 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria in favor of the affected bank. The conviction and sentencing highlight the EFCC's ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes in the country.