The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Command, on Tuesday, disclosed in a statement that it has arraigned 11 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The defendants were arraigned on different counts of charges, ranging from one to six charges as preferred against them by the commission.
A statement by Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in Ibadan said the suspects were, Perekebena Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Obaro, Daniel Maiye, Gbolahan Adesina, Yinka Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Adeleye, Abiola Oluwadare, Busari Ayodeji and Okesipe Paul.
Nine of the defendants were arraigned on one -count charge each, while the remaining two: Micah and Obaro had six count- charges filed against each of them.
One of the counts reads, “That you, Micah sometime in 2023 in Osogbo, Osun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated the name – Pies through your Whatsapp account phone number +1(414)367-9473 by claiming that you are an American female in love with your victims in the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”
Another count reads, “That you, Obaro on or about November 1, 2023, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by the name Alex Stephens from the United States of America to one Megan Johnson, through your Google Chat and your email address (alexsteps678@gmail.com) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”
Upon their arraignments, they all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
Consequently, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court for trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.
In response, defence counsels to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients which have been served on the prosecution, therefore urging the court to admit the six defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel, having listened to the prayers of both parties, admitted Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe to bail.
Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye and Okesipe were admitted to bail in the sum of N2,000,000 each while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3,000,000.
Other bail conditions are, two sureties in like sum, the first surety must be the defendant’s father or mother, the second surety must be a relative, sibling, clergy, or civil servant with the Osun State Government; the sureties must depose to a affidavit of means and both residential and office addresses of the sureties, as well as their statuses must be provided and verified by the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matters to November 29 and December 12, 2023, respectively for commencement of trial and remanded the defendants at the Ilesha Correctional Centre, Osun State pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The defendants were among the 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Wednesday, November 01, 2023, at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife in Osun State following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.