Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced Ganiyu Alabi, a 20-year-old undergraduate, to one year and two months in prison for his involvement in an online romance scam. Alabi admitted guilt to charges related to possessing fraudulent documents and impersonating others to deceive victims.
Key Details of the Case:
- Charge: Alabi used a fake identity online, posing as “Leana Decker,” a fictitious white woman on Facebook, to defraud unsuspecting individuals. He confessed to earning about $1,000 through this scam.
- Arrest: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended Alabi during a sting operation in Lekki in April 2024.
- Restitution: He has already paid ₦500,000 back to the EFCC as part of restitution.
Court Ruling:
- Sentence: One year and two months imprisonment. However, Alabi can avoid jail time by paying a ₦1 million fine.
- Additional Penalties: He is also required to complete two months of community service.
- Offender Registry: The court mandated his registration as an offender and required him to submit a report on his community service activities.
Judge’s Remarks:
Justice Oshodi stressed the negative impact of cybercrime on Nigeria’s global reputation. He expressed skepticism regarding Alabi’s remorse, highlighting discrepancies in his statement—where Alabi initially claimed he began his fraudulent activities this year, but evidence revealed he had been involved since 2023.
This case underscores the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect Nigeria’s international image from the damage caused by online scams.
CREDIT: Allschoolabs, Allschool.ng
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