Man Sentenced To 76 Years For Child Pornography, Cyberstalking, And Fraud

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Olukeye Adeayo Olalekan to 76 years in prison after finding him guilty on 18 counts of child pornography, cyberstalking, fraud, and money laundering.

The conviction followed a comprehensive prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala.

Olalekan was charged with offenses including distribution and procurement of child pornography, cyberstalking, retention of proceeds of fraud, money laundering, and obtaining property under false pretences.

The charges were filed under several Nigerian laws: the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015; the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Olalekan initially pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on September 6, 2023, before Justice Y.G. Ringim. The case was later reassigned and heard de novo—first before Justice Kehinde Ogundare and then again before Justice Owoeye.

After his bail application was granted, the trial commenced. The EFCC presented five witnesses, including two investigators. Their testimonies formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case.

According to EFCC counsel Buhari, the case drew international attention after the British Columbia Serious Crime Unit in Canada launched an investigation into the murder of 14-year-old Robin Janjus, who was found dead at home. Digital forensics on the victim’s phone led Canadian authorities to social media accounts operated by the defendant.

An undercover operation later revealed that Olalekan had posed as a female from North Carolina, using platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to solicit and defraud victims. He was found to have threatened to circulate nude images of minors and engaged in multiple fraudulent transactions involving gift cards and cryptocurrency.

Justice Owoeye ruled that the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming and sentenced him accordingly, in what has been described as a landmark judgment against online sexual exploitation and financial crime.