EFCC Docks Eleven OAU Undergraduates Over Alleged Internet Fraud

Eleven students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have been arraigned by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

VerseNews reports that the students were brought before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, on various charges.

The defendants include Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji, and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul.

Charges range from one to six counts, including fraudulent impersonation and cybercrimes as per the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015. All the defendants pleaded not guilty.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Perekebena Olombeni Micah sometimes in 2023 in Osogbo, Osun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonated the name – Pies through your Whatsapp account phone number +1(414)367-9473 by claiming that you are an American Female in love with your victims in the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Another count reads, “That you, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro on or about 1st November, 2023 at Ile-Ife, Osun State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by name Alex Stephens from United States of America to one Megan Johnson, through your Google Chat and your email address (alexsteps678@gmail.com) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Justice Ayo-Emmanuel granted bail to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe.

They were each admitted to bail with varying sums, along with conditions, including two sureties, one of whom must be a parent, and the other a relative, sibling, clergy, or civil servant with the Osun State Government.

The judge remanded the remaining defendants to the Ilesa Correctional Centre, Osun State.

The trial is set to commence on November 29 and December 12, 2023.

These students were among 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Ile-Ife on November 1.