Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare to one year imprisonment for internet fraud. The conviction, delivered on Friday, May 30, 2025, follows prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of impersonation and cybercrime.
According to court documents, Oluwadamilare fraudulently posed as "Pearl Xavier" on Google on November 12, 2024, with the intention of gaining advantage for himself. This action violated Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the one-count charge when it was read to him in court. Following his plea, EFCC counsel Abdulhamid L. Tukur called operative Adams Adze to present the facts of the case.
Investigation and Evidence
Adze informed the court that Oluwadamilare was apprehended in November 2024 following intelligence reports linking him to a cybercrime network operating in the Lekki area of Lagos. At the time of arrest, authorities recovered an iPhone 12 Pro Max and an HP laptop from the defendant.
The EFCC investigation uncovered digital evidence confirming Oluwadamilare's involvement in online scams. During testimony, Adze revealed that the defendant had admitted to conducting a dating scam from which he received $200. The court also heard that Oluwadamilare had made a restitution payment of N200,000 through a bank draft.
The prosecution successfully tendered the defendant's statements, mobile phone, laptop, and forensic reports as exhibits, which were admitted by the court.
Sentencing and Forfeiture
In his plea for leniency, Oluwadamilare told the court, "I have started a business and also registered in a polytechnic to further my education."
Justice Bogoro sentenced the defendant to one year's imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the defendant's mobile phone, laptop, and bank draft to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This conviction concludes the legal proceedings that began with Oluwadamilare's arrest for internet fraud and impersonation, marking another step in Nigeria's ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime.
