Cynthia Ezegwu
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday sentenced Charles Osaibovo to 50 years imprisonment for defrauding a foreign woman of £15,000 by impersonating popular Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard.
Justice Ismail Ijelu handed down the verdict after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved Osaibovo guilty on six counts, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, theft, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering. He was, however, acquitted on a charge relating to the retention of proceeds of crime.
According to court records, Osaibovo deceived Miss Shenika Garati into sending the money under the pretense that it was required for a movie production in Nigeria.
The court sentenced him as follows: 14 years for conspiracy, 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence, five years for theft, 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and three years for money laundering. All sentences are to run concurrently, totaling 50 years, with no option of a fine.
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Justice Ijelu also ordered Osaibovo to refund the £15,000 to the victim.
During the arraignment, the EFCC stated that Osaibovo, along with Charles Evans Osaibovo (deceased), had in June 2022 obtained £38,000 by false pretence from Garati. The prosecution also highlighted that between February and August 2022, Osaibovo transferred £15,000 derived from the fraudulent activity while concealing its illegal origin.
The verdict underscores the court’s commitment to punishing financial crimes and protecting victims of internet and impersonation scams.