Another Five Fraudsters Convicted After Obasanjo Presidential Library Sting, EFCC Seizes Cash And Devices

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters arrested during its sting operation at a hotel within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The convicted fraudsters—Christian Okoli, Adeleye Emmanuel, Akinyele Kehinde Fatai, Shonekan Waris Bolaji, and Olufemi Korede Ayomiposi—were arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday. They all pleaded guilty to one-count charges of impersonation, identity theft, and romance scams.

The five were among 93 suspects apprehended by EFCC operatives on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in a high-profile clampdown on internet fraudsters operating from Abeokuta.

• Christian Okoli was picked up in July 2025, ahead of the sting operation. He admitted to running online romance scams, with incriminating documents and a Samsung S23 Ultra phone recovered from him. He also refunded N300,000 to the EFCC. The court sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of N1 million. Both the phone and the refunded sum were forfeited to the Federal Government.
• Adeleye Emmanuel, arrested during the OOPL raid, confessed to romance scams. Justice Dipeolu ordered him to one month of community service, under the watch of the Correctional Services. His punishment includes publicly carrying a placard from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the inscription: “Crime does not pay.”
• Akinyele Kehinde Fatai admitted to benefitting $2,000 from his fraudulent activities. He refunded N500,000 through a manager’s cheque issued by Access Bank. The court sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment or an alternative fine of N3 million, in line with Section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
• Shonekan Waris Bolaji told the court he began romance scams in 2024 and even claimed links to a jailed U.S.-based gang member in California. He was sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest on August 10, 2025.
• Olufemi Korede Ayomiposi admitted to making $2,800 from scams. He refunded N1 million through two manager’s cheques and was found with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and another Android device. The court sentenced him to 30 days’ imprisonment, also running from August 10, 2025. His gadgets and refunded sum were forfeited to the Federal Government.

The August 10 sting at OOPL netted a total of 93 suspects linked to romance and internet scams. EFCC said investigations are ongoing, with more prosecutions expected in the coming weeks.

The convictions underscore the Commission’s resolve to pursue cybercrime cases to their logical conclusion, ensuring that perpetrators not only face jail terms but also lose their illicit proceeds to the state.