Internet fraudster jailed 235 years over N525 million fraud
The Court of Appeal in Calabar has upheld the conviction of an international fraudster, Scales Olatunji to spend 235 years in jail without option of a fine having being found guilty of N525,172,580 internet fraud.
Penpushing reports that the convict had earlier been sentenced by Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo, on June 27, 2022, but he (Olatunji) approached the appeal court to contest the conviction.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Olatunji for internet fraud and money laundering, who used the proceeds of the crime to purchase luxurious properties in choice areas within Lagos State
“The convict was prosecuted, following the receipt of a petition by Oslo Police District, Norway, requesting the assistance of the Commission in investigating a network of Nigerian citizens, who had serially duped some Norwegians’ the crimes commission said in the statement.
Penpushing further reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), said Olatunji belonged to a syndicate of internet fraudsters who specialised in compromising business emails, adding that he defrauded the Norwegian Government and its citizens to the tune of N525,172,580 and used the proceeds of the crime to purchase luxurious properties in choice areas within Lagos State.
The anti-graft agency said the offence contravenes provisions of Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act, but the convict dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, approached the appellate court, where he raised 11 grounds of appeal and prayed to the court to set aside the trial court’s judgment.
Penpushing also reports that, the appellate court led by Justice Muhammed Idris delivering judgment on the matter dismissed the appeal declaring that the prosecution counsel had proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and upheld the lower court’s decision.
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