Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to a cumulative 50 years in prison after convicting him on charges of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.
The convict, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), defrauded a foreign victim, Miss Shenika Garati, of £15,000 by impersonating popular Nigerian actor Frederick Leonard on social media.
Charles convinced the victim that the money was needed for a movie production in Nigeria.
He was arraigned on six counts, one of which involved an initial conspiracy with a now-deceased accomplice, Charles Evans Osaigbovo, to obtain £38,000 from the same victim.
During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses and tendered substantial documentary evidence, while the defence presented one witness.
Justice Ijelu ruled that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on five of the six counts.
Breakdown of sentences (all to run concurrently):
Conspiracy to obtain by false pretence: 14 years
Obtaining money by false pretence: 14 years
Stealing: 5 years
Possession of fraudulent documents: 14 years
Money laundering: 3 years
Total effective sentence: 50 years, imprisonment without option of fine.
The defendant was, however, discharged and acquitted on the count of retention of proceeds of crime.
The court further ordered Osaibovo to restitute the sum of £15,000 to the victim, Miss Shenika Garati.Reacting to the judgment, the EFCC described the conviction as a strong warning to internet fraudsters who hide behind celebrity identities to prey on unsuspecting victims locally and internationally.
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