Court sentences notorious international fraudster 235 years in prison
Vondigest reports that Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has secured a high-profile conviction as the Federal High Court in Uyo sentenced Scales Olatunji Ishola to 235 years in prison.
The court also ordered EFCC to sell Ishola’s properties and give the proceeds to his victims who are Norwegian.
The EFCC had arrested Olatunji in 2019 at his Ikota, Lekki’s residence based on a petition from the Oslo Police District in Norway
Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, has convicted and sentenced Scales Olatunji Ishola, to 235 years imprisonment over N525 million fraud.a
Ishola, described as a notorious international fraudster, was accused of internet fraud and money laundering and found guilty by the court.
The convict was dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was arraigned in July 2019 on 45-count charges which border on identity theft, money laundering, and conspiracy, according to a statement by the EFCC.
EFCC tenders 35 exhibits in court
EFCC ‘s counsel, Nwandu Ukoha opened the case on November 7, 2019 and subsequently tendered 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.
The EFCC had arrested Ishola 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.
Court delivers verdict
Delivering judgment on Monday, June 27, Justice Okeke convicted Olatunji on all the 45-counts preferred against him by the EFCC.
The judge sentenced Olatunji to seven years imprisonment on counts one to five, and five 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.
