BY ERIC OLUSESAN
The Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in ibadan has secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters – Rasak Olayinka Balogun and Ayodeji Oluwaseun Olatona.
The duo was said to have pleaded guilty to a separate one-count charge of criminal impersonation.
This was confirmed by the spokesman for the agency, Dele Oyewale, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the agency, the offence runs contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.
“While Balogun was sentenced to seven months jail term by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Olatona had his date with Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, who sentenced him to six months imprisonment.
“Apart from his jail term, Balogun was ordered to restitute $4,000 to his victim, one Mantonia Duncan, and also forfeit his laptop, Samsung Galaxy S8 phone and iPhone 11 Pro Max to the federal government, while Olatona will restitute $500 to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 to the Federal government,” the statement partly read.
Meanwhile, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Osogbo has convicted one Timilehin Awojoodu of criminal impersonation.
The court however reserved his sentence till July 21, 2020.
Besides the conviction, the judge ordered Awojoodu to restitute the sum of $2,500 to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 and Infinix Hot 7 phone to the government.