Court jails two internet fraudsters

Two internet fraudsters, Rasak Olayinka Balogun and Ayodeji Oluwaseun Olatona, who pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges of criminal impersonation, have been convicted by two different federal high courts. The spokesman for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Tuesday that the offences for which the men were […]

Two internet fraudsters, Rasak Olayinka Balogun and Ayodeji Oluwaseun Olatona, who pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges of criminal impersonation, have been convicted by two different federal high courts.

The spokesman for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Tuesday that the offences for which the men were convicted ran contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.

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Balogun was sentenced to a seven months jail term by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while Olatona had his date with Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, who sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

Apart from his jail term, Balogun was also ordered to restitute $4,000 to his victim, Mantonia Duncan, and also forfeit his laptop, a Samsung Galaxy S8 phone and an iPhone 11 Pro Max to the federal government, while Olatona will restitute $500 to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 to the federal government.

In a similar development, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, convicted Timilehin Awojoodu of criminal impersonation, but reserved his sentence till July 21, 2020.

Lifu also ordered Awojoodu to restitute the sum of $2,500 to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 and Infinix Hot 7 phone to the federal government.