Anebi
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, 30 May 2025, convicted and sentenced one Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare to one year in prison for offences related to internet fraud.
Elijah was prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge of impersonation and cybercrime.
According to the charge, Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare, on November 12, 2024, in Lagos fraudulently claimed on Google to be Pearl Xavier, with the intention to gain advantage for himself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following the plea, EFCC counsel Abdulhamid L. Tukur called operative Adams Adze to present the facts of the case. Adze informed the court that the defendant had been apprehended in November 2024 based on actionable intelligence linking him to a cybercrime ring operating in the Lekki area of Lagos.
Items recovered from Elijah at the time of arrest included an iPhone 12 Pro Max and an HP laptop. The EFCC investigation revealed digital evidence supporting his involvement in online scams. Adze testified that Elijah had admitted to conducting a dating scam, from which he received $200.
The defendant also made a restitution payment of N200,000 through a bank draft.
The prosecution then sought and received the court’s approval to tender the defendant’s statements, mobile phone, laptop, and forensic reports as exhibits.
Addressing the court in plea for leniency, Elijah said, “I have started a business and also registered in a polytechnic to further my education.”
In delivering judgement, Justice Bogoro sentenced the defendant to one year’s imprisonment, with an option of a N200,000 fine. The court further ordered the forfeiture of the mobile phone, laptop, and bank draft to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Elijah’s conviction marks the conclusion of legal proceedings initiated following his arrest for internet fraud and impersonation.
Man jailed for dating scam in Lagos
