A 20-year-old undergraduate, Ganiyu Alabi, was yesterday sentenced to one year and two months imprisonment for engaging in a Facebook love scam. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja handed down the sentence after Alabi reached a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had charged Alabi with possession of fraudulent documents. In his ruling, Justice Oshodi noted the damaging effect of cybercrime on Nigeria’s international reputation. He, however, considered the defendant’s timely plea bargain, which saved judicial time and resources.

The judge remarked: “I do not believe you are genuinely sorry because you lied to this court, claiming you started Internet fraud this year, whereas your confessional statement shows you began in 2023. Having been convicted on the charge of possession of fraudulent documents, I hereby sentence you to one year and two months imprisonment or a fine of N1 million.”

Justice Oshodi also ordered Alabi to complete two months of community service with the Lagos State Community Service Unit, with a report to be submitted upon completion. Additionally, he directed that Alabi’s name be registered as an offender in the state.

Earlier, EFCC counsel Mr Ahmad Usman, while reviewing the facts of the case, informed the court that Alabi was apprehended during an operation in Lekki in April. The convict was found in possession of fraudulent documents and had impersonated a white female named Leana Decker to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

Usman stated that Alabi’s actions contravened Section 320 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. In his confessional statement, the convict admitted to engaging in a dating scam via Facebook, from which he benefited to the tune of $1,000.

The prosecution presented bundles of fraudulent documents as evidence, which the court accepted without objection. The EFCC further disclosed that Alabi had already restituted N500,000 to the anti-graft agency.