Internet fraudster bags three-month jail term in Lagos

By Oluwatoyin Momolosho –

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Salami Ponmile Bassit to three months in prison for internet fraud. Justice D.I. Dipeolu delivered the judgment on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after the accused pleaded guilty to a one-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge stated that Bassit impersonated one “Katia Banks,” a white woman from the United States, on Facebook with intent to gain advantage for himself, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Prosecution counsel, M.S. Yabo, thereafter called EFCC operative Ilyasu Dauda to present the facts of the case. Dauda told the court that Bassit had posed as a white woman to scam unsuspecting victims and also sent pornographic images to them. An iPhone 16 used in perpetrating the crime was recovered during investigation.

The prosecution tendered the defendant’s statement, the recovered device, and a forensic report, all of which were admitted in evidence.

After reviewing the facts, Justice Dipeolu convicted Bassit. Although his counsel pleaded for leniency as he was a first-time offender, the judge sentenced him to three months in prison with an option of a ₦2 million fine. She also ordered that the recovered iPhone be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Bassit was arrested on July 31, 2025, during an EFCC sting operation at Lekki Garden Horizon Height, Lagos, following intelligence reports on internet fraud activities in the area.