Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo may have convicted and sentenced a notorious international fraudster, Scales Olatunji, to 235years imprisonment for internet fraud and money laundering; but many appear unimpressed by the feat of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in successfully prosecuting the case.
Just like the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, on Sunday at a public Forum in Abuja, took a swipe at government for always succeeding at prosecuting minions at the lower rung of the financial crimes ladder, while shielding bigger fish who steal from the public till, citing the example of the former Accountant-General accused of allegedly involved in an N80 billion fraud; a social media influence and public affairs commentator, Rev. Polycarp Gbaja, has also scoffed at the conviction of Olatunji for the N523 million fraud.
His comments: “YEYE DEY SMELL!!
“So WHY the deafening silence on Accountant General Idris who stole over N200 billion, but is at home, enjoying with his family, on ‘bail’, which amount was never announced, for such grievous looting, evidenced by massive known structures he already has erected in his homes state alone.
“Which feeds the narrative that he is most likely a mere conduit for the vile big men right at the top of the Buhari Regime.
“It is impossible to move N1 billion of ANY KIND, from the coffers of the Nigerian State, without the knowledge of the President or the Presidency or the Ministry of Finance. How much more, over N200 billion, even if in batches??!!
“The Presidency is fully aware and has a lot of explaining to do. Nigerians must not suddenly develop amnesia over this matter. The PRESS/MEDIA, MUST NOT FORGET, OR SHOVE THIS MASSIVE FRAUD UNDER. IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP DAILY, UNTIL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS COMPELLED TO DEAL JUSTLY WITH THIS VILENESS OF STATE. KAI!!” (Emphasis by Rev. Gbaja).
Olatunji, according to an EFCC statement, was arraigned on July 2, 2019 on 45-count charges bordering on identity theft, money laundering and conspiracy.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thus setting the stage for his trial.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Scales Olatunji Ishola “M”, Meraiyebu Charles “M”(at large), Gabriel Adeyemi Olugbenga “M”(at large), Ojomo Oluwatobi Ayodele “M”(at large) and Adekola Oluwatoyin “M”(at large), between January 2017 to October 2018, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N525,172,580.00 (Five Hundred and Twenty Five Million, One Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira) only, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: fraud (Business E-mail Compromise and Identity Theft), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”
Another count reads: “That you, Scales Olatunji Ishola “M” on or about the 15th day of May 2018, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did send electronic messages (email) using emailoffice01@aol.com to one Monica Goulmoen of the Charity Association for providing girls and boys in Kobane with a football pitch, while impersonating a certain Per Ravn Omdal, a former Norwegian Football Association President, demanding the sum of €64,000.00 (Sixty-Four Thousand Euros) to be transferred to you via IBAN GB74HBUK40062132722119 which was paid and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.
EFCC ‘s counsel, Nwandu Ukoha opened the case on November 7, 2019 and subsequently tendered thirty-five(35) exhibits through four prosecution witnesses, which were all admitted in evidence against the defendant. He closed the case on January 29, 2021 for the defence to open its defence.
Both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their written addresses in October 2021, before the court adjourned for judgment.
Delivering judgment on Monday, June 27, 2022, Justice Okeke convicted Olatunji on all the 45- counts preferred against him by the EFCC. Justice Okeke said that, “the evidence of the prosecution witnesses are consistent and the prosecution established the guilt of the defendant in the case of money laundering as it relates to count one to five of the charges. The prosecution also established the guilt of the defendant in the offence of cybercrime as it relates to count six to forty five of the charges. The prosecution, on the totality of evidence before this court, proved the charges against the defendant”
The judge sentenced Olatunji to seven (7) years imprisonment on counts one to five, and five (5) years imprisonment on counts six to forty-five. The sentence, shall, however, run concurrently with effect from the date of arrest.
The court also ordered that the money in the convict’s account be forfeited to Norwegian citizens through the EFCC. Also, his properties: House No. 6, located on Road 2 West-end Estate, Ikota, Lekki, Lagos State and House No. 10, Donatus Odum Street, Ikate, Lagos State are to be sold by the EFCC and the proceeds restituted to the Norwegian victims.
The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when operatives of the EFCC arrested him on March 20, 2019 at his Ikota , Lekki’s residence based on a petition from the Oslo Police District in Norway, requesting the assistance of the EFCC in investigating a network of Nigerians that had defrauded Norwegian citizens for years.
Investigations revealed that the convict belonged to a syndicate of internet fraudsters who specialized in Business Email Compromise-BEC.
