IBADAN – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Command, arraigned eleven students from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, on November 6, 2023.
They faced charges related to internet fraud, with each defendant having different counts against them.
The students identified as Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji, and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul were arraigned. Nine of them faced one-count charges, while Micah and Obaro had six-count charges each.
For example, one of the charges against Perekebena Olombeni Micah alleged fraudulent impersonation through WhatsApp, claiming to be an American female in love with victims in the United States to gain an advantage, which is an offense under the Cyber Crimes Act.
Upon their arraignment, all defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel requested trial dates and the remand of the defendants in a Correctional Centre.
In response, defense counsel for Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe informed the court about bail applications filed on behalf of their clients, asking for bail in liberal terms.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel granted bail to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye, and Okesipe. The bail amounts were set at N2,000,000 for the former group and N3,000,000 for Micah. The bail conditions included two sureties, with the first being the defendant’s parent and the second being a relative, sibling, clergy, or civil servant in the Osun State Government. The sureties had to provide verifiable information, including their residential and office addresses.
The court adjourned the matters to November 29 and December 12, 2023, for the commencement of trial. The defendants were remanded at the Ilesha Correctional Centre, Osun State, pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
These students were among 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, Osun State on November 1, 2023, following actionable intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.