Kwara Polytechnic student internet fraud case ends in conviction as EFCC secures jail terms for four students over impersonation and online scams in Ilorin

A Kwara Polytechnic student and three others have been sentenced to prison by the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for their involvement in internet fraud.

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The convictions followed separate prosecutions by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olaitan Abdulwahab Damilare, a 25-year-old final-year student of Quantity Surveying, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to impersonating a white woman online and defrauding a foreign national of \$2,100 in gift cards.

“This marks a clear stance against cybercrime,” said Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity. “The evidence presented was overwhelming and unchallenged.”

Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar convicted Olaitan, along with Maruf Quadri Kolawole and Habeeb Abiodun Jimoh. Justice Sulaiman Akanbi of another court division sentenced Mubarak Moruf.

The offences involved cheating by personation and obtaining money under false pretences, in violation of Sections 321 and 324 of the Penal Code. The court also ordered the forfeiture of devices and funds recovered during the arrests.

Maruf, who impersonated a man named Frank Matt via Facebook, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and forfeited \$950 and an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Habeeb received a similar sentence, with forfeiture of his iPhone 14 Pro Max, HP laptop, and \$365.

Mubarak Moruf was given one year imprisonment or an option of a ₦400,000 fine. His iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 7, and \$300 were also forfeited to the Federal Government.

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The kwara polytechnic student internet fraud case highlights ongoing enforcement efforts to tackle cybercrime in Nigeria. EFCC continues to prosecute offenders to deter future violations and recover illicit gains.