Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Yusuf Ramon and Ganiyu Ibrahim.
The duo was among 93 suspects arrested during a sting operation on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at a hotel located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
They were arraigned the same day before the court on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, identity theft, and internet fraud by the Lagos Zonal Directorate II of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge against Ramon reads: “That you, Yusuf Ramon, on or about 10in August, 2025 at Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one "Anna Marry", a white woman on your Instagram handle, @mariebarbelon with intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.”
The charge against Ibrahim reads: “That you, Ganiu Ibrahim (a.k.a 'Elena Pears') sometime in August, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a Facebook Account titled: 'Elenapears" wherein you fraudulently represented yourself as 'Elena Pears' a White American Female to one Brad through your Facebook account which is connected to your iPhone 13 with no: 09050610185 with intent to gain advantage for yourself contrary to S. 22(2)(b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under S. 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same law.”
They each pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against them.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel S.M. Yabo called two investigative officers, Chukwu Christian and Izuchukwu Collins, to review the facts of the case.
Yabo also sought to tender in evidence the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, Ramon’s iPhone XX and iPhone XX Max, Ibrahim’s iPhone 13, a ₦200,000 bank draft in restitution made by Ibrahim, as well as forensic documents extracted from their devices. The court admitted all items as exhibits.
In view of the guilty pleas and the evidence presented, Justice Dipeolu found both defendants guilty and convicted them accordingly.
Counsel for the convicts pleaded with the court to “temper justice with mercy,” noting that the duo were first-time offenders who had shown remorse.
Delivering judgment, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ramon to one month imprisonment from the date of his arrest, with an option of ₦200,000 fine. The court also ordered that his mobile phones be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Similarly, Ibrahim, who admitted benefiting $150 from his fraudulent activities, was sentenced to one month imprisonment with an option of ₦200,000 fine.
The judge further ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 13 and the ₦200,000 restitution draft to the Federal Government.
On Monday, the EFCC secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters who were also arrested within OOPL premises in Abeokuta.
The defendants, Adewale Adewole Adenekan, Oyatokun Damilola Qudus, and Adisa Okikiade, were arraigned and convicted after pleading guilty to various cybercrime-related offences filed by the EFCC.
On August 15, SaharaReporters similarly reported that the EFCC had secured the convictions of three internet fraudsters who pleaded guilty to various cybercrime-related offences, while a fourth defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Justice Dipeolu convicted the trio, identified as Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, who were among 93 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the agency within the OOPL premises.
Culled from Sharareporters
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