Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, 30 May 2025, convicted and sentenced one Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare to one year in jail for charges relating to online fraud.
Elijah was charged with one count of impersonation and cybercrime by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge states that on November 12, 2024, in Lagos, Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare falsely claimed to be Pearl Xavier on Google to benefit himself. This was against the law and was punishable under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following the plea, EFCC attorney Abdulhamid L. Tukur called operative Adams Adze to state the facts of the case. Adze stated that the court found actionable intelligence linking the defendant to a cybercrime network centred in Lagos’ Lekki neighbourhood led to his arrest in November 2024.
An HP laptop and an iPhone 12 Pro Max were among the items found on Elijah at the time of his detention. Digital evidence proving his involvement in internet frauds was found during the EFCC probe. According to Adze’s testimony, Elijah acknowledged running a dating scam in which he got $200.
Additionally, the defendant used a bank draft to pay N200,000 in reparation.
The prosecution then sought and received the court’s approval to tender the defendant’s statements, mobile phone, laptop, and forensic reports as exhibits.
Addressing the court in plea for leniency, Elijah said, “I have started a business and also registered in a polytechnic to further my education.”
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In delivering judgement, Justice Bogoro sentenced the defendant to one year’s imprisonment, with an option of a N200,000 fine. The court further ordered the forfeiture of the mobile phone, laptop, and bank draft to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Elijah’s conviction marks the conclusion of legal proceedings initiated following his arrest for internet fraud and impersonation.
