Court Jails Man Three Months For Internet Fraud In Lagos

Court Jails Man Three Months For Internet Fraud In Lagos

Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, August 25, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Chubude Christian Okoli to three months imprisonment for internet fraud.

He was arrested on July 13, 2025 at Cruizer Hotel in Ajegunle, Lagos in a sting operation by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about the activities of some individuals allegedly involved in internet fraud at the hotel.

He was arraigned on Monday on one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

The charge reads: “That you, CHIBUIDE CHRISTIAN OKOLI, on or about the 7th July, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to gain advantage, held out yourself as “Donald Wallace”, through Gmail Account donaldwallace6506@gmail.com to unsuspecting members of the public for financial benefit, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I. G. Akhanolu, called on Abdulrahman Lamido Muhammad, an operative of the EFCC, to review the fact of the case .

In his review, Muhammad stated that the defendant confessed his involvement in an online dating scam in his statement to the Commission.

He also stated that “He confessed that he benefited the sum of $600(Six Hundred United States Dollars). “During investigations, a Samsung S23 Ultra was recovered from him. He has restituted the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) through a manager’s cheque.”

The judge, in view of the defendant’s plea and evidence tendered by the prosecution, found him guilty and also convicted him.

His lawyer, K. B. Ijaodola, pleaded with the court for leniency.

He also prayed that he be granted a non-custodial sentence, adding that he “is a first-time offender.”

The judge, consequently, sentenced him to three months imprisonment, with the option of a N1 million fine.

Justice Dipeolu also ordered that the Samsung S 23 recovered from him as well as the N300,000 manager’s cheque be ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.