ILORIN, Nigeria (BN24) — A Nigerian gospel singer and eight others have been convicted of cybercrime and related offenses by a Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, as authorities intensify their crackdown on internet fraud across the country.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced 31-year-old Moses Otitoju, a self-styled gospel artiste from Iyamoye in Kogi State, to six months in prison without the option of a fine. Prosecutors said he illegally retained more than 8.4 million naira in proceeds from fraudulent activities in his bank account.
The conviction followed charges brought by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused Otitoju and others of conspiracy, cybercrime, and misappropriation of funds.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the court found Otitoju guilty of holding funds linked to criminal conduct between October 2024 and December 2025. “The total sum of N8,404,339 was retained in his account,” the EFCC said, citing violations under Section 17 of the EFCC Act, 2004.
Three others were convicted in the same trial. Ayodele Joseph received an eight-month prison sentence without the option of a fine after authorities found N243,750 in his bank account linked to cyber fraud. His Tecno 19 smartphone was ordered forfeited.
Adeoye Joseph, from Okene in Kogi State, was also sentenced to eight months without the option of a fine. The court ordered the forfeiture of $220 in cash, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9 device.
Another defendant, Abubakar Abdulmalik, was handed a six-month sentence, and his iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 were forfeited to the government.
EFCC prosecutors — including Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama — presented defendants’ statements, exhibits, and funds recovered during the investigation, which were accepted by the court.
In related rulings at the Kwara State High Court, Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Haleema Saleeman convicted five additional suspects: Emeka Achi, Isaac Oluwafemi, Afolabi Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek.
Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years imprisonment with an option of a ₦500,000 fine, and ordered the forfeiture of ₦800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone.
Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months each, with an option of ₦100,000 fines. Emeka was further ordered to refund ₦3.35 million within three months and report to the EFCC every two weeks, accompanied by his parents, until the repayment is complete.
The rulings are the latest in a string of anti-fraud convictions by Nigerian courts as authorities ramp up enforcement of cybercrime laws across the country.
