The conviction of an international fraudster for internet fraud has been upheld by the Court of Appeal in Calabar, according to a report. Agatha Okeke, a Federal High Court judge in Uyo, had previously convicted Scales Olatunji on June 27, 2022, for charges related to internet fraud and money laundering, as brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Olatunji was sentenced to 235 years in prison without the option of a fine. The Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC prosecuted him, following a petition by the Oslo Police District in Norway, seeking assistance from the Commission in investigating a network of Nigerian citizens involved in defrauding Norwegians.
The EFCC stated that Olatunji was part of a syndicate of internet fraudsters specializing in compromising business emails. He defrauded the Norwegian Government and its citizens of N525,172,580 and used the proceeds to acquire luxurious properties in prime areas of Lagos State.
The anti-graft agency noted that his actions violated Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
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Dissatisfied with the trial court’s judgment, Olatunji appealed the decision, presenting 11 grounds of appeal and seeking the overturning of the trial court’s verdict.
In delivering the judgment, a three-person panel led by Justice Muhammed Idris dismissed the appeal, as the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt, thereby upholding the decision of the lower court.
