Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, 16th February, convicted one Saka Ridwan Olamilekan from Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State for possession of fraudulent funds and love scam.
It was understood that the conviction of the defendant followed his arraignment by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one count charge.
Saka was among the 30 persons arrested on September 19, 2021, at Molete in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State over their involvement in cybercrime.
The charge reads, “That you, Saka Ridwan Olamilekan sometime in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly had under your control, Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12000) found in your Cash App account which is reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code Law.”
The defendant pleaded guilty.
Prosecuting Counsel, Rasheedat Alao, reviewed the facts of the case through a witness who is an operative of the EFCC.
The witness said several fraudulent messages were printed from Saka’s devices. The extra judicial statements of the defendant, the fraudulent messages, one Apple iPhone 12 pro max and one HP Revolve Laptop were tendered and admitted in evidence.
Alao therefore urged the Court to consider the facts and circumstances of the matter in upholding the case of the prosecution.
Justice Akinpelu in a well considered judgment, convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only)
The judge ordered the convict to forfeit the sum of $1000 ( One Thousand Dollars) which he raised as restitution as well his iPhone to the Federal Government.
