OPAY AD
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • PT Jobs
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
Friday, August 15, 2025
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Gender
  • Investigations
    • All
    • Blood on Uniforms
    Fatimo and her mother.HEIC (PHOTO CREDIT: Ayodeji )

    SPECIAL REPORT: Food Inflation worsens child malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria

    Mrs Akpaku stands in the compound she lives in with her husband and 8 children

    Fields of Fear: Militia attacks in Benue force women off farmlands

    FILE PHOTO: Tuberculosis

    PT Health Watch: What you should know about Tuberculosis, why it persists

    The airport's main gate [Photo Credit -James Aparshe]

    INVESTIGATION: Commissioned by Buhari, Nasarawa’s ₦15 billion airport joins Nigeria’s white elephant projects

    Joy Ogbole, a final year Agric Extension student and Stephanie Michael, a final-year Crop Science and Horticulture student.

    SPECIAL REPORT: Young Nigerians studying agriculture struggle to innovate amid poor facilities

    Wooden Canoe used by farmers to access their farmlands during flooding

    Inside Anambra, Imo communities where flooding forces farmers to harvest crops prematurely

    LEA Primary School Dagiri, Gwagwalada Abuja

    SPECIAL REPORT: Poor infrastructure, long distance hinder schooling in Abuja community

    A flooded street lined with homes and power lines highlights the poor living conditions of many residents in Ajegunle, Lagos (Photo credit: Mariam Ileyemi)

    Silent Spread: How Nigeria’s largest cities are losing lives to preventable diseases

    lithium rush gets off to rocky start

    Nigeria’s push to cash in on lithium rush gets off to rocky start

  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Trade Insights
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Columns
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
    Imam-Murtada-Gusau writes about welcoming the Islamic new year (1447 After Hijrah).

    Responding to the cry of the poor, needy and less privileged in society!, By Murtadha Gusau

    Professor Jibrin Ibrahim asks who is afraid of the ADC coalition.

    “Success” and the Tinubu reforms, By Jibrin Ibrahim

    Azu Ishiekwene writes about Muhammadu Buhari and his legacy.

    What happened in the matter of Bayo Ojulari?, By Azu Ishiekwene

    Tunji Bello writes about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his strategic leadership.

    Doyin Abiola: Truly exceptional, By Tunji Bello

    The newly-appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu

    Ribadu’s quiet revolution in securing Nigeria, By Jude Obioha

    Zainab Suleiman Okino writes about Sule Lamido and his new biography.

    Jonathan’s second term bid and the ADC challenge, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential
    • Gubernatorial
  • Home
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Gender
  • Investigations
    • All
    • Blood on Uniforms
    Fatimo and her mother.HEIC (PHOTO CREDIT: Ayodeji )

    SPECIAL REPORT: Food Inflation worsens child malnutrition crisis in northern Nigeria

    Mrs Akpaku stands in the compound she lives in with her husband and 8 children

    Fields of Fear: Militia attacks in Benue force women off farmlands

    FILE PHOTO: Tuberculosis

    PT Health Watch: What you should know about Tuberculosis, why it persists

    The airport's main gate [Photo Credit -James Aparshe]

    INVESTIGATION: Commissioned by Buhari, Nasarawa’s ₦15 billion airport joins Nigeria’s white elephant projects

    Joy Ogbole, a final year Agric Extension student and Stephanie Michael, a final-year Crop Science and Horticulture student.

    SPECIAL REPORT: Young Nigerians studying agriculture struggle to innovate amid poor facilities

    Wooden Canoe used by farmers to access their farmlands during flooding

    Inside Anambra, Imo communities where flooding forces farmers to harvest crops prematurely

    LEA Primary School Dagiri, Gwagwalada Abuja

    SPECIAL REPORT: Poor infrastructure, long distance hinder schooling in Abuja community

    A flooded street lined with homes and power lines highlights the poor living conditions of many residents in Ajegunle, Lagos (Photo credit: Mariam Ileyemi)

    Silent Spread: How Nigeria’s largest cities are losing lives to preventable diseases

    lithium rush gets off to rocky start

    Nigeria’s push to cash in on lithium rush gets off to rocky start

  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Trade Insights
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Columns
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
    Imam-Murtada-Gusau writes about welcoming the Islamic new year (1447 After Hijrah).

    Responding to the cry of the poor, needy and less privileged in society!, By Murtadha Gusau

    Professor Jibrin Ibrahim asks who is afraid of the ADC coalition.

    “Success” and the Tinubu reforms, By Jibrin Ibrahim

    Azu Ishiekwene writes about Muhammadu Buhari and his legacy.

    What happened in the matter of Bayo Ojulari?, By Azu Ishiekwene

    Tunji Bello writes about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his strategic leadership.

    Doyin Abiola: Truly exceptional, By Tunji Bello

    The newly-appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu

    Ribadu’s quiet revolution in securing Nigeria, By Jude Obioha

    Zainab Suleiman Okino writes about Sule Lamido and his new biography.

    Jonathan’s second term bid and the ADC challenge, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential
    • Gubernatorial
Premium Times Nigeria
NAICOM AD
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
Arrested internet fraudsters

Arrested internet fraudsters

Court convicts three internet fraudsters arrested during OOPL raid as EFCC arraigns fourth suspect

EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu told the court that one of the convicts posed as a female celebrity online to defraud a victim of $500.

byEmmanuel Agbo
August 15, 2025
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted three internet fraudsters arrested during a controversial raid on a hotel at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Join the Premium Times WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.

Open in WhatsApp

The judge Dehinde Dipeolu, sitting as a vacation judge in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, convicted Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo and Bisiriyu Abiodun on separate cybercrime charges, including identity theft and obtaining money by false pretence.

FIRST BANK AD

They were among 93 suspects arrested during the EFCC raid.

All three pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu told the court that Mr Akinwale posed as a female celebrity online to defraud a victim of $500.

Prosecutor Franklin Ofoma tendered as exhibits a 2007 Toyota Camry, a Galaxy phone, and a bank draft of N400,000.

Delivering judgement, Mr Dipeolu sentenced Mr Akinwale to three months’ imprisonment or a N1 million fine, and Mr Olatunji to one month’s imprisonment or a N500,000 fine for a romance scam.

Mr Oshundairo was sentenced to 30 days of community service, including carrying a banner reading: “Cybercrime Does Not Pay. Stay Away from Cybercrime.”

But the fourth defendant, Onunoye Olamilekan, denied allegations of impersonating “Nurse Becky” on Facebook and retaining $50 in suspected criminal proceeds.

His lawyer argued that the charges cited a non-existent section of the Cybercrimes Act.

The judge ordered his remand at Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending trial on 31 October.

Background

The EFCC had filed charges against 23 suspects from the OOPL raid, but only four could be arraigned on Friday.

The commission had earlier announced that the suspects—among 93 arrested—were apprehended while allegedly celebrating their fraudulent activities at a pool party.

EFCC said the event was moved to the OOPL hotel after the organisers learnt of an impending sting operation.

According to the agency, almost all those profiled have been linked to internet-related crimes.

It stressed that the OOPL facility was not targeted, but the suspects themselves.

OOPL’s response

The OOPL management condemned the EFCC’s midnight operation, describing it as “Gestapo-like” and alleging that operatives fired gunshots, injured attendees, and issued death threats.

At a press conference in Abeokuta, Managing Director Vitalis Ortese demanded N3.5 million in restitution for vehicles seized, at least N1 billion for bodily injuries to over 100 persons, and N2.5 billion for reputational damage to the facility and its chief promoter, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

OOPL issued a seven-day ultimatum to the EFCC and the Inspector General of Police to tender an unreserved apology or face legal action.

“These are the very expressions of creativity and productivity we are meant to encourage—not criminalise.

“The indiscretion displayed in this operation has created an aura of fear among youths who are striving to earn legitimate their incomes.

“It sends the wrong message—that creativity and enterprise are suspect, that ambition is dangerous, and that public spaces are unsafe.

”We have engaged legal counsel, security experts, and civil society partners to demand accountability, enforce institutional respect, and protect the rights of our patrons and staff,” Mr Ortese said.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print


TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Lagos Police bust trans-border child trafficking gang, rescue 11, arrest 4

Next Post

Christian Chukwu’s iconic No.5 jersey retired

Emmanuel Agbo

Emmanuel Agbo

More News

Mohamed Salah [PHOTO CREDIT: @LFC] https://x.com/LFC/status/1956470347101863983/photo/2

EPL: Record-breaking Salah fires Liverpool to winning start over Bournemouth

August 15, 2025
Flag of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Over 1,800 killed, hundreds forcibly disappeared in South-east Nigeria in two years – Amnesty

August 15, 2025
Baro Inland Port

IBB, Abdulsalami canvass revival of Baro Inland Port in Niger

August 15, 2025
Nigeria Police officers on duty

Lagos Police bust trans-border child trafficking gang, rescue 11, arrest 4

August 15, 2025
A medical Doctor used to illustrate the story.

Benue resident doctors strike grounds state university hospital

August 15, 2025
Girl Child Day

Nigerian govt validates policy on menstrual health, targets stigma-free society by 2030

August 15, 2025
Leave Comment

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game

Projects & Partnerships

  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Parliament Watch
  • Panama Papers
  • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • #ParadisePapers
  • #SuisseSecrets
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential & NASS
    • Gubernatorial & State House
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • Gender
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Trade Insights
    • Business Specials
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • SuisseSecrets
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Dubawa NG
  • Advert Rates
  • PT Jobs
  • Digital Store
  • Contact Us

All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria