A self-acclaimed gospel musician and eight other individuals have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by courts in Kwara State for their involvement in cyber-related crimes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate, secured the convictions at both the Federal High Court and the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that one of the convicts, Moses Sesan Otitoju, a 31-year-old gospel singer from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was handed a six-month jail term without an option of fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court.
Otitoju, who claimed to be a popular performer at social functions in Lokoja, was convicted for retaining N8.4 million, being proceeds of illegal activities, in his bank account.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Otitoju’s offence contravenes Section 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
Three others—Ayodele Joseph, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik—were convicted alongside Otitoju on similar charges.
Ayodele was sentenced to eight months without an option of fine after N243,750 was traced to his account. Justice Awogboro also ordered the forfeiture of his Tecno phone to the Federal Government.
Adeoye Joseph, also from Kogi State, got eight months imprisonment without option of fine and forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9 to the government.
Abubakar was given six months behind bars and ordered to forfeit his iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 to the Federal Government.
EFCC prosecutors Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama led the team that tendered confessional statements and exhibits during trial.
In a separate judgment, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court also convicted five others: Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, Afolabi Faith Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek.
Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine, in addition to the forfeiture of N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone.
Justice Saleeman gave Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi six months imprisonment each with an option of N100,000 fine. Emeka was also ordered to refund N3.35 million within three months and to report bi-weekly with his parents at the EFCC office until the amount is fully repaid.
The development adds to the growing number of convictions secured by the EFCC as it intensifies efforts to clamp down on internet fraud across the country.
The Commission urged the public, especially youths, to shun internet-related crimes and engage in lawful ventures, warning that no amount of social status would shield anyone from prosecution.
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