Two internet fraudsters arrested during a sting operation at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) hotel in Abeokuta have been convicted and sentenced by a Lagos federal court.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, sentenced Asimiyu Oluwaponmile Olatunji and Hassan Makinde for internet fraud offences. The two were among 93 suspects nabbed during a sting operation at a hotel within the OOPL complex on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
They each pleaded guilty to charges including impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud. For example, Olatunji admitted to fraudulently setting up a Facebook account under the name “Janet Milner” and deceiving someone into paying $350. Makinde confessed to benefiting about 10,000 Australian dollars (around 1.5 million Naira) through his fraudulent activities.
The court received evidence such as the suspects’ mobile phones (Olatunji’s iPhone 12 and Makinde’s iPhone 16), cash restitution, and forensic documents from their devices. Considering the evidence and their guilty pleas, the judge convicted them and handed down sentences.
Olatunji was sentenced to three months in prison but allowed to pay a fine of 500,000 Naira instead. His iPhone 12 and the restitution cheque were forfeited to the Nigerian government. Similarly, Makinde got the same prison term with an option of a 500,000 Naira fine, and his phone was confiscated.
Earlier in the week and month, several others arrested in the same sting were also convicted for cybercrime offences.The EFCC is actively following up on the large number of arrests, with more court cases on the horizon.
The efforts of the EFCC and the decisions coming out of court send a strong message: cybercriminals won’t get away without consequences. It’s also a reminder for everyone to stay alert and protect their personal information when online. Young Nigerians and professionals alike should see these developments as a serious warning—not only about the dangers of getting involved in internet scams but also about the risks of becoming targets.
The EFCC is actively following up on the large number of arrests, with more court cases on the horizon.
The efforts of the EFCC and the decisions coming out of court send a strong message that cybercriminals won’t get away without consequences. It’s also a reminder for everyone to stay alert and protect their personal information when online. Young Nigerians and professionals alike should see these developments as a serious warning, not only about the dangers of getting involved in internet scams but also about the risks of becoming targets.
