The Ilorin Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday sentenced Aderibigbe Shehu, a student of Kwara State University, (KWASU), Malete, to three years in prison over internet fraud.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction.

The defendant pretended to be a widow, who resides in the United States of America (USA), to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Mr Aderibigbe, a native of Osogbo, Osun State capital, was one of the 30 suspected internet fraudsters arrested at Malete, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara, on September 19, 2021.

The presiding judge, Muhammed Sani, pronounced Mr Aderibigbe guilty of the charge and sentenced him to three years in prison with N982,403 as option of fine.

The court also ordered that the iPhone7 plus and Laptop that were used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the federal government.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Rasheedat Alao, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the extrajudicial statements of the defendant, which were admitted in evidence.

She urged the court to consider the guilty plea of the defendant, his extrajudicial statements and all the exhibits tendered to convict the defendant as charged.

The court further convicted Bolaji Awoleye from Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State for internet fraud related offence.

The prosecution counsel, Sesan Ola, told the court that Mr Awoleye allegedly posed as one Karan Vanslack, an American lady, with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The defendant pleaded guilty as charged and was sentenced to a year in prison with option of fine of N100,000.

The court also ordered that the iPhone6 that he used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the federal government.

NAN)