Court Convicts Three Internet Fraudsters Arrested During OOPL Raid as EFCC Arraigns Fourth Suspect

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted three internet fraudsters arrested during the controversial raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The convictions were handed down on Friday by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, sitting as a vacation judge in Ikoyi, Lagos. The convicted individuals Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo alongside Bisiriyu Abiodun, faced separate charges bordering on cybercrime, including identity theft and obtaining money by false pretence.

All three convicted persons pleaded guilty to the charges when read to them in court. EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu, who testified in the proceedings, revealed that Akinwale had impersonated a female celebrity on social media to deceive a victim into parting with $500.

The four men were among the 93 suspects apprehended during the EFCC’s August raid on the OOPL-linked hotel an operation that drew public attention and debate over the anti-graft agency’s methods.

While the three have been convicted, Bisiriyu Abiodun was arraigned separately and is expected to face further trial proceedings.

The court is scheduled to deliver sentencing for the convicted trio at a later date.

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to pursuing cybercrime cases to conclusion, stressing that online fraud poses a persistent threat to Nigeria’s image and economic well-being.