25-year-old man gets 20 years for fraud in Ekiti

By Boye Oyeyemi

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Ayomide Ademiloye Ifeoluwa, to 20 years imprisonment over offences bordering on internet fraud, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

The conviction was secured before Justice Bamidele Omotosho following the defendant’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge filed against him on May 5, 2026.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the convict fraudulently obtained 700 dollars from one Teresa Hodder through a Bybit Cash App wallet after posing as an American identified as Charles Brandon on WhatsApp between 2025 and 2026.

The prosecution added that the defendant also collected another 200 dollars in gift cards from the same victim using the false identity.

According to the EFCC, the convict similarly impersonated the fictitious American citizen in his dealings with another victim identified as Shanon, despite knowing the representation was false.

When the amended charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded guilty to all counts. Justice Omotosho thereafter confirmed from him that the plea bargain agreement was entered into voluntarily and without intimidation.

During the trial, EFCC counsel, Y.K. Saidu, presented a witness and tendered exhibits including the convict’s statements, bank records, transaction receipts, electronic gadgets, a land sale agreement and an iPhone 16 recovered during investigation. Meanwhile, Defence counsel, M.A. Adebisi, did not cross-examine the witness.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment each on counts one and two without an option of fine, while counts three and four attracted one year imprisonment each with an option of N200,000 fine, stressing that the sentences are to run concurrently. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the iPhone 16 to the Federal Government for public auction, directing that proceeds from the sale be paid to the victim.