Legal Nigeria

Court orders Kwara fraudsters to forfeit car, iPhones to FG

The fraudsters are to collectively forfeit iPhones, a vehicle, and 1,500 dollars to the federal government.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA 

Court Gavel used to illustrate the story

A Kwara State High Court on Tuesday ordered three love scammers and cybercriminals to forfeit iPhones, a vehicle, and 1,500 dollars to the federal government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Tunde Olagunju, Hassan Olanrewaju, and bricklayer Ojo Adewale, with crime bordering on love scam and cybercrime.

“I have carefully considered the facts and circumstances of the matter, most especially the charges.

“I have also considered the plea of guilt entered by the defendants, evidence tendered without objection and the confessional statements of the defendants.

“There is no justifiable reason for the court to let the defendants off the hook.

“In the circumstance, the court finds the defendants guilty of the offence,” the judge, Sikiru Oyinloye, said.

Mr Oyinloye sentenced Mr Olagunju to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N650,000.

Similarly, the judge sentenced Mr Olanrewaju to one year imprisonment on count one, with an option of a fine of N250,000 and another one year on count two with the same fine option.

“The custodial sentences will run concurrently. But if the convict prefers the option of a fine, he shall pay the fine of N500,0000,” the judge ruled.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the defendant’s silver-coloured Toyota Camry car, 2009 model with registration number LSR 431 GV and gold iPhone 12 pro and $200.

Mr Adewale was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of a fine of N300,000.

The judge said the convict should forfeit the iPhone XR recovered from him at the point of arrest to the federal government.