LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — A Federal High Court in Lagos State has sentenced a Nigerian man to 76 years imprisonment following his conviction on multiple charges including child pornography, cyberstalking, money laundering, and fraud in a case that involved international cooperation with Canadian authorities.
Justice Alexander Owoeye delivered the sentence Thursday after finding Olukeye Adeayo Olalekan guilty on all 18 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges encompassed distribution and procurement of child pornography, cyberstalking, retention and concealment of fraudulent funds, and obtaining property under false pretenses.
The prosecution, led by Mrs. Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, established that Olalekan’s criminal activities violated multiple provisions of Nigerian cybercrime and financial crime legislation. The offenses contravened sections of the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act of 2015, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006, and the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
Olalekan initially entered a not guilty plea when first arraigned on September 6, 2023, before Justice Y.G. Ringim. The case underwent multiple reassignments, first to Justice Kehinde Ogundare for a de novo hearing, and subsequently to Justice Owoeye, who presided over the final proceedings and sentencing.
During the trial, EFCC counsel Buhari-Bala presented testimony from five witnesses, including two investigators whose evidence proved crucial in securing the conviction. The prosecution revealed that the case originated from an international investigation into the death of a Canadian teenager.
Buhari-Bala told the court that the British Columbia Serious Crime Unit had initiated an inquiry into the murder of 14-year-old Robin Janjus, who was discovered dead at his residence. Digital forensics analysis of the victim’s mobile phone led Canadian authorities to social media accounts operated by the convicted defendant.
“Digital forensics on the victim’s phone led authorities to social media accounts operated by the convict,” the prosecutor explained during proceedings. The investigation revealed that Olalekan had created false online personas to facilitate his criminal activities across international borders.
An undercover operation conducted by Canadian authorities uncovered the defendant’s systematic deception methods. “An undercover operation was subsequently launched, revealing that the convict had posed as a female from North Carolina,” Buhari-Bala stated in court testimony.
The investigation established that Olalekan utilized popular social media platforms including Snapchat and Instagram to carry out his criminal schemes. Through these platforms, he solicited and obtained property under false pretenses while simultaneously engaging in more serious offenses involving minors.
Court evidence revealed that the defendant threatened to transmit nude images of minors as part of his criminal enterprise. The prosecution demonstrated that Olalekan conducted multiple fraudulent transactions involving gift cards and cryptocurrency, creating a complex web of financial crimes spanning international jurisdictions.
The case highlighted the growing challenge of transnational cybercrime, with Nigerian authorities working closely with Canadian law enforcement to build the prosecution case. The international cooperation proved essential in gathering digital evidence and establishing the connection between the defendant’s online activities and the Canadian investigation.
Justice Owoeye’s comprehensive sentencing reflected the severity and scope of the defendant’s criminal conduct. The 76-year cumulative sentence represents one of the most substantial penalties handed down by Nigerian courts for cybercrimes involving child exploitation and international fraud schemes.
The conviction demonstrates the EFCC’s commitment to prosecuting complex cybercrime cases that cross international boundaries. The commission’s successful prosecution required extensive collaboration with foreign law enforcement agencies and sophisticated digital forensics capabilities.
Legal experts note that the case establishes important precedent for Nigerian courts handling cybercrime prosecutions that involve international victims and digital evidence. The substantial sentence serves as a deterrent to other potential offenders engaged in similar criminal activities.
The conviction also underscores the vulnerability of young people to online predators and the importance of international cooperation in combating crimes that exploit digital platforms to harm minors. The case demonstrates how digital forensics can trace criminal activity across multiple jurisdictions and social media platforms.
Nigerian authorities continue to strengthen their capacity to investigate and prosecute sophisticated cybercrimes as the country works to address its reputation as a source of international fraud schemes. The EFCC’s successful prosecution of this case represents ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes that damage Nigeria’s international standing.
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