Court jails three fraudsters caught within Obasanjo library premises

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has secured the conviction and sentencing of three internet fraudsters.

The judgment was delivered on Monday, by Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicts, Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, Adenekan Adewole Ayinde, and Adisa Okikiade, were among 93 suspected cybercriminals arrested during a sting operation on August 10, 2025, at a hotel within precincts of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Each of the three individuals was arraigned on a separate one-count charge of impersonation and internet fraud. Qudus was said to have posed as “Eric Melissa,” a white woman, on Instagram to defraud unsuspecting victims.  Ayinde on his own part, impersonated a white American woman using the email address [email protected] for fraudulent purposes and received $180 through the scheme. Okikiade was accused of posing as “Anthony Krenn” on Google platforms to deceive victims between 2024 and 2025.

All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

Following their pleas, the EFCC prosecution counsel, S.M. Yabo, called on investigators to present the facts of the cases and tendered key evidence, including: the defendants’ confessional statements, Ayinde’s iPhone 14 Pro, Okikiade’s Infinix smartphone, forensic data extracted from their devices, a N200,000 bank draft presented by Ayinde as restitution.

All evidence was admitted by the court.

In their final plea, defence lawyers requested leniency, emphasizing that the convicts were first-time offenders and had shown remorse.

Qudus got a one-month imprisonment or an option of ₦300,000 fine. Ayinde was slammed with a one-month imprisonment or ₦250,000 fine. His iPhone and ₦200,000 restitution were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government

Okikiade bagged a one-month imprisonment or ₦100,000 fine. His Infinix smartphone was also forfeited to the Federal Government

Justice Dipeolu, in delivering the judgment, emphasized the importance of accountability and deterrence in tackling cybercrime.