Victor Adedeji Oniyiku has been handed a 12-month prison sentence by the Federal High Court in Lagos for his involvement in internet fraud.
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Oniyiku before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court.
Found guilty on a one-count charge of impersonation, Oniyiku had posed as Hartford Sarah Jane to carry out online fraudulent activities.
Having pleaded guilty to the offense when arraigned in December 2023, Oniyiku awaited judgment, which was delivered on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The charge against him stated, “That you, VICTOR ADEDEJI ONIYIKU, sometime in 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated one Hartford Sarah Jane by holding yourself out as such on an illinois Drivers’ license, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015.”
Prosecution counsel Chinenye Okezie presented the case and urged the court to proceed with conviction and appropriate sentencing.
Consequently, Justice Aneke sentenced Oniyiku to 12 months in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N500,000 along with 100 hours of community service.
Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the devices recovered from Oniyiku to the Federal Government.
Oniyiku’s arrest stemmed from his involvement in internet-related offenses, leading to his detention by EFCC operatives in Lagos.