Court jails UNILORIN final year student for cybercrime

Adigun Oladapo Oludele, a final year student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has been sentenced to one year in prison for offences bordering on internet fraud.

Sikiru Oyinloye, a Kwara high court judge, ordered that the sum of N158,000 found in the convict’s GTB account and his Lexus vehicle be forfeited to the federal government.

The convict was also ordered to forfeit his iPhone 12, iPhone 7, Apple watch and 2 laptops, which were recovered from him at the point of arrest.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adigun was prosecuted on two counts.

“He fraudulently obtained the sum of $6,3280 as benefit from the Ohio Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal of the United States of America,” the statement reads.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Adigun Oladapo Oludele and one Ganiu Samson (at large) sometime between December 2020 and June 2021 at Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud did cheat by personation via the Ohio Pandemic Unemployment Assistance portal, U.S.A for which $6, 328.00 was paid as benefits and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law.”

The defendant had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, Andrew Akoja, counsel to the EFCC, urged the court to convict the defendant.

T.A Hammed, defence counsel, did not oppose the EFCC’s submission.

Delivering judgment, the judge said: ”This honourable court has not seen any reason why the defendant should not be convicted as the prosecution has placed enough materials before the court to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

The judge consequently pronounced Adigun guilty and sentenced him to one year in prison with the option of N250,000 fine.