The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin zonal command has arrested 48 students of the Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete for alleged internet fraud.

Also arrested with them were two residents of Malete. They are all standing trial at the Federal and state high courts in Ilorin.

The agency prosecuted and secured various jail terms for six of them internet in Ilorin.

The conviction brought to 30 the number of persons convicted from the 50 suspects comprising 48 students of the Kwara State University, KWASU, and two residents of Malete.

They were all arrested during a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

They were all found guilty by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court.

The convicts are Ismail Abdulbasit from Adavi Local Government of Kogi State; Oladipo Victor from Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State; Ibrahim Oluwatosin of Ipetumodu in Osun State; Ayantola Segun Samuel from Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State; Musbau Waris Atomo from Orolu Local Government Area of Osun State and one Babalola Rasaq Oluwadamilare from Ogun State.

They were convicted and sentenced to various jail terms yesterday after being found guilty of the separate counts brought against them by the EFCC.

In one of the charges against the convicts, particulars of the charge against Abdulbasit read:

“That you, Ismail Abdulbasit between in use February 2024 at Malete, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, fraudulently impersonate one Jason Boone from United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2)(b) (iv) of the same Act”

In addition, the charge against Victor reads:

“That you, Oladipo Victor, sometime between July 2023 at Ilorin, Kwara State within the judicial division of the Federal High Court, did fraudulently impersonate one Barros-Andre vide your Instagram account: barros_andre_22 with the intent to obtain from one Emrah Yilmaz and did obtain the sum of EUR 300 (Three Hundred Euro) through Skrill App with identity michatisya@gmail.com thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2)(b) (iv) of the same Act.”

Upon their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Innocent Mbachie and Charles Oni reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered the statements of the defendants.

The prosecutor also tendered in evidence items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest including the various sums of money, which they benefited from the unlawful activities which were not controverted by the defence.

In her judgment, Justice Anyadike ordered the trio of Ibrahim, Babalola and Oluwatosin to pay a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each while ordering Oladipo, Ismail and Ayantola to pay a sum of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each as fine.

The judge also ordered that all phones which the convicts used as instruments of the crime and the money, which they brought as restitutions be forfeited to the Federal Government.