The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the convictions of three men arrested in connection with a cybercrime investigation at a hotel within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, while a fourth defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded pending trial.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, sitting as a vacation judge, convicted Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo on charges including false pretence, identity theft, and obtaining money under false pretence, offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the EFCC Act, 2004.

According to EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu, Akinwale used a false female identity to run an online scam, defrauding a victim of $500. Evidence presented by the prosecution, led by Franklin Ofoma, included a 2007 Toyota Camry, a Galaxy phone, and a bank draft of ₦400,000.

The court sentenced Akinwale to three months’ imprisonment or a ₦1 million fine. Olatunji, found guilty of a romance scam, received one month’s imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine. Oshundairo was sentenced to 30 days of community service, including carrying a public awareness banner reading “Cybercrime Does Not Pay. Stay Away from Cybercrime,” after conviction on two counts of impersonation and retaining ₦600,000 in criminal proceeds.

In contrast, Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan pleaded not guilty to impersonating “Nurse Becky” on Facebook and retaining $50 obtained through fraud. His lawyer challenged the validity of the charge, arguing that the cited section of the Cybercrimes Act did not exist. Justice Dipeolu ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until trial on October 31, 2025.

The OOPL hotel arrests in 2025 involved 93 suspects, with the EFCC filing charges against 23 individuals. The court was able to hear four cases in the current sitting, with proceedings for the remaining defendants pending.