The judge held that the EFCC had proved its case through evidence and the defendants' admissions.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted another set of eight internet fraudsters arrested at a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convicts arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the OOPL on 15 August pleaded guilty to cybercrime charges.
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The judge, Dehinde Dipeolu, delivered the judgement on Wednesday, holding that the EFCC had proved its case through evidence and the defendants' admissions.
He convicted the defendants of offences including obtaining money under false pretence, identity theft, and romance scams, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.
Out of nine defendants, eight pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
The convicts were part of 93 suspects apprehended during a sting operation at the hotel.
EFCC investigators told the court that incriminating evidence, including iPhones and fraudulent documents retrieved from the defendants' devices, linked them to online scams.
Some of the convicts admitted to earning millions of naira through romance fraud and tendered restitution in bank drafts and manager's cheques, all of which were admitted as exhibits without objection.
In his ruling, Mr Dipeolu sentenced Jinadu Rasaq Gbenisola to three months imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine. Salami Ponmile Basiru received the same term with an option of a N2 million fine. Both men forfeited their iPhones to the federal government.
Tijani Babatunde was sentenced to three months imprisonment or a N1 million fine after admitting to romance scams through which he made between N5 million and N10 million.
He also forfeited his iPhone 13 and refunded N4 million via bank draft.
David Damilola Ogunmuyiwa, arrested with an iPhone 16, was sentenced to one month imprisonment or a N200,000 fine, and made restitution of N70,000.
Agada Prosper received three months imprisonment or a N200,000 fine and forfeited his iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Awal Yusuf, who benefited $600 from romance fraud, was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of a N700,000 fine; his iPhone 11 and a $300 manager's cheque were forfeited.
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Amsa Lawal Oluwatobi was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of a N300,000 fine, and forfeited his iPhone 13 and a N200,000 bank draft.
Yusuf Damilola, the ninth convict, admitted to obtaining 6,000 Canadian dollars and $150 through romance scams.
He was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a N6 million fine, and forfeited his iPhone 12 and a N1 million manager's cheque.
The judge ruled that the sentences would serve both as punishment and deterrence.
One other defendant who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody pending trial.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that seven other suspects arrested during the same Abeokuta operation--including Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, and Bisiriyu Abiodun--were convicted last Friday for identity theft and obtaining money by false pretence.
