Sting Operation at OOPL: Court Sentences Three to Jail for Internet Fraud in Lagos

Three internet fraudsters, Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, Adenekan Adewole Ayinde, and Adisa Okikiade, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a sting operation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The operation led to the arrest of 93 suspected fraudsters at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The convicts were charged with impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. They all pleaded guilty to the charges.

Oyatokun Damilola Qudus was sentenced to one month in prison or a fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira). Adenekan Adewole Ayinde received a one-month jail term or a fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and was also ordered to forfeit an iPhone 14 Pro and N200,000 in restitution to the government. Adisa Okikiade was sentenced to one month in prison or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) and had his Infinix smartphone forfeited.

The convictions serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat internet fraud in the country. The use of technology and undercover operations have become increasingly important in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in these types of criminal activities.