Lagos Court Jails Two Men for Internet Fraud and Impersonation

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two men to one year imprisonment each for fraudulent impersonation.

Justice Alexander Owoeye delivered the ruling on September 30, 2025, against Joshua Victor David and Abdulmalik Adesanya Olayiwola, following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.

The Charges

• David impersonated a woman named “Clara Jane” via email to defraud an unsuspecting victim, John Brill.

• Olayiwola impersonated “Kylie Dowdy” on Facebook with the intent to gain an advantage for himself.

Both offences fall under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Sentencing

• David received 1 year in prison with an option of a ₦300,000 fine. His iPhone 16 and a ₦250,000 bank draft were forfeited to the Federal Government.

• Olayiwola was also sentenced to 1 year in prison with an option of a ₦600,000 fine.

The two men had pleaded guilty. The court convicted them after the EFCC tendered their confessional statements and the mobile devices recovered from them.

Background

The convicts were arrested in Lagos for internet fraud and brought before the court in September 2025. EFCC prosecutors urged the judge to convict them, stressing their clear involvement in impersonation schemes.