ASHENEWS reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arraigned 11 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU over alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The EFCC in a statement issued on Tuesday said that the suspects were arraigned before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
According to the statement, the defendants were among the 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Wednesday, November 01, 2023, at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife in Osun State following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
“The defendants were arraigned on different count charges, ranging from one to six charges as preferred against them by the EFCC.
“They are: Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul.”
The EFCC added that nine of the defendants were arraigned on one count charge each, while the remaining two had six count charges filed against each of them.
“One of the counts reads: “That you, Perekebena Olombeni Micah sometime in 2023 in Osogbo, Osun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated the name – Pies through your Whatsapp account phone number +1(414)367-9473 by claiming that you are an American Female in love with your victims in the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”
“Another count reads, “That you, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro on or about 1st November 2023 at Ile-Ife, Osun State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by the name Alex Stephens from United States of America to one Megan Johnson, through your Google Chat and your email address (alexsteps678@gmail.com) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”
The statement added that the defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
“Consequently, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court for trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.
“In response, defense counsels to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients which have been served on the prosecution, therefore urging the court to admit the six defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.
“Justice Ayo-Emmanuel, having listened to the prayers of both parties, admitted Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe to bail.
“Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye, and Okesipe were admitted to bail in the sum of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira only) each while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira only).
“Other bail conditions are: two sureties in like sum, the first surety must be the defendant’s father or mother, the second surety must be a relative, sibling, clergy or civil servant with the Osun State Government; the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and both residential and office addresses of the sureties, as well as their statuses must be provided and verified by the court registrar.”
It further disclosed that the case has been adjourned to November 29 and December 12, 2023, respectively for commencement of trial while the defendants have been remanded at the Ilesha Correctional Centre, Osun State pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
