The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu, who delivered judgment on Monday, sentenced the convicts — Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, Adenekan Adewole Ayinde, and Adisa Okikiade — to one month imprisonment each, with options of fine.
The trio were among 93 suspected cybercriminals arrested by EFCC operatives on August 10, 2025, during a sting operation at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Qudus was accused of impersonating “Eric Melissa,” a white woman, on Instagram to defraud victims. Ayinde posed as a white American woman with the email agoldberg374@gmail.com and received $180 through the scheme, while Okikiade impersonated “Anthony Krenn” on Google platforms between 2024 and 2025.
They were arraigned on separate one-count charges of impersonation and internet fraud contrary to Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. All pleaded guilty.
During trial, EFCC prosecutor, S.M. Yabo, presented evidence including their confessional statements, mobile phones, forensic analysis, and a ₦200,000 bank draft tendered by Ayinde as restitution. The court admitted the evidence.
In their plea for mercy, defence counsel argued that the convicts were first-time offenders and had shown remorse.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced Qudus to one-month imprisonment or a ₦300,000 fine. Ayinde got one-month imprisonment or a ₦250,000 fine, while his iPhone 14 Pro and ₦200,000 restitution were forfeited to the Federal Government. Okikiade received one-month imprisonment or a ₦100,000 fine, with his Infinix phone also forfeited.
The judge stressed that the punishment was necessary to promote accountability and deter others from engaging in cybercrime.
