A couple, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick and his wife, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle, were on Monday sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court found them guilty on all four counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the commission, the couple, in a classic advance fee fraud scheme, had defrauded one Dunni Olateru Olagbegi of N53, 713, 260 in cash and bank transfer.
The victim had sometimes in May 2013 boarded a taxi cab with three other passengers who, unknown to her, were members of a syndicate of fraudsters. Upon entering the vehicle, she heard them arguing about a Ghana-Must-Go bag filled with US Dollars in the boot of the car.
Moments later, one of the fraudsters told her that she must be cleansed to avert sudden and mysterious death having heard their discussion.
She was taken to an unknown destination where she subsequently started giving the defendants, and the other members of the syndicate (at large), various sums in cash and bank payment totaling N53, 713, 260.00, which she allegedly sourced from the sale of her properties in both Ibadan and Lagos.
In the course of investigation, it was discovered that over N9m was paid into the second defendant, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle’s account, domicile in one of the third generation banks, apart from other funds traced to the first defendant’s account.
It was also discovered that the first defendant built Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite located at Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State from the proceeds of the crime.
In his judgment, Justice Abdulmalik found the couple guilty of the four-count charge and sentenced both of them to 10 years imprisonment on each of the counts.
However, while Fredrick’s prison term took effect from June 19, 2017 when he was arrested, Tinuola’s time in the Custodial Centre started counting from May 26, 2017 when she was arrested.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered that Victoria East Park Hotel & Suite “be sold and the proceed, if not up to N53, 713, 260.00, be returned to the victim in the case and if it exceeds, the balance be paid into the Federal Government’s account”.