By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Tuesday, Nov.18.25
LAGOS, Nigeria – A NIGERIAN con artist who tricked a woman out of £15,000 by pretending to be a popular movie star to fund a fake film has been caged for a whopping 50 years.
Osaibovo Charles, 32, was handed the massive sentence by Justice Ismail Ijelu at the Lagos State High Court after being found guilty on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering.
He brazenly impersonated handsome Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard to dupe victim Miss Shenika Garati, claiming he needed the cash to bankroll a movie production back in Nigeria.
The romance began online when Charles sweet-talked Miss Garati into believing she was talking to the star, known for his roles in many Nollywood blockbusters.
One charge read out in court stated that Charles and an accomplice had conspired to obtain the larger sum of £38,000 from the victim in June 2022.
The court heard that Charles was eventually successful in illegally transferring a total of £15,000 from Miss Garati between February and August 2022.
He spent the dirty cash attempting to conceal the illegal origin of the funds, the court was told.
Despite pleading not guilty to the six-count indictment brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the prosecution, led by T.J. Banjo, convinced the judge of Charles’ guilt.
Delivering his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Ijelu ruled: “Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged.”
Charles received heavy sentences for his crimes, including 14 years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence, and 5 years for stealing.
He also copped 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents and three years for money laundering.
All the sentences are to run concurrently, totalling an incredible 50 years behind bars, and the judge offered no option of fine.
The court also ordered Charles to pay full restitution of £15,000 back to his victim, Miss Shenika Garati.
