£15,000 Fraud: Man Bags 50-Year Jail Term in Lagos

Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Osaibovo Charles to an aggregate 50 years’ imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.

Charles was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate I of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge after he allegedly defrauded Miss Shenika Garati of £15,000 by impersonating popular Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard and claiming the funds were meant for a movie production in Nigeria.

One of the charges reads:
“Charles Osaigbovo and Charles Evans Osaigbovo (deceased), in June 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of £38,000 by false pretence from Miss Shenika Garati.”

Another charge states:
“Osaibovo Charles, sometime between February and August 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transferred the aggregate sum of £15,000 derived directly from your illegal activity by concealing the illegal origin of the same.”

Charles pleaded not guilty to all counts at arraignment, prompting a full trial. The prosecution, led by T. J. Banjo, called two witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence, while the defence called one witness.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.

Sentencing Breakdown:

• Conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence: 14 years
• Obtaining money by false pretence: 14 years
• Stealing: 5 years
• Possession of fraudulent documents: 14 years
• Money laundering: 3 years

All sentences carry no option of fine and will run concurrently, totalling 50 years. Charles was, however, discharged and acquitted on the count of retention of proceeds of crime.

The court also ordered him to pay £15,000 in restitution to the victim, Miss Garati.