Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a man to one year in prison for impersonating another person online in an attempt to defraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Daniel Osiagor, sitting in Ikoyi, delivered the judgment Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The convict, identified as Imran Mujeeb Ayomide, was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC charged Ayomide with fraudulent impersonation after investigators discovered that he had posed as a woman named Agent Julie Ann Andrews Irs using a Google account. Prosecutors told the court that Ayomide used the false identity to mislead others for his personal gain.

According to the charge sheet, the crime took place in August 2025 in Lagos. The offense violated Section 22(2)(b) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which addresses internet-related fraud and imposes penalties for offenders.

When the charge was read to him, Ayomide pleaded guilty. His plea allowed the prosecution to present evidence directly to the court without a lengthy trial.

Prosecution counsel N. C. Mutfwang reviewed the facts of the case. She submitted Ayomide’s written statement and presented a Samsung S10 smartphone recovered from him during the investigation. Mutfwang urged the court to convict him, arguing that the EFCC had provided clear evidence of the impersonation scheme.

After reviewing the evidence and Ayomide’s guilty plea, Justice Osiagor found him guilty as charged.

The judge sentenced him to one year in prison but gave him the option of paying a fine of 120,000 naira (about $160). In addition, the court ordered that the Samsung phone used in the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC, in a statement, welcomed the ruling. The commission has repeatedly warned that online impersonation is one of the most common tactics used by fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting victims. By pretending to be another person, scammers often trick people into sharing sensitive information, sending money, or granting access to online accounts.

Cybercrime remains a major concern in Nigeria, where so-called “Yahoo Boys” have gained global attention for internet fraud schemes. Authorities say such crimes damage the country’s international image and discourage foreign investment.

The Cybercrimes Act of 2015 was passed to combat these offenses. It provides legal tools to prosecute offenders and sets penalties for a wide range of online crimes, including identity theft, cyberstalking, phishing, and financial fraud. Offenders can face heavy fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of assets used in the crime.

Legal experts say Ayomide’s conviction shows that courts are increasingly enforcing the law to deter others. “Cases like this send a message that cybercrime has consequences,” said one lawyer familiar with EFCC prosecutions.

The EFCC has urged young Nigerians to avoid online fraud and instead use their digital skills for legitimate opportunities. The commission has also increased public awareness campaigns about the risks of impersonation and internet scams.

In recent years, the EFCC has secured multiple convictions for similar crimes. Many offenders are caught after impersonating foreign nationals or creating fake online profiles to deceive victims. Some target individuals through romance scams, while others impersonate officials or business representatives.

For Ayomide, the ruling means he must either serve time in prison or pay the court-ordered fine. The forfeiture of his mobile device underscores the EFCC’s stance that tools used in cybercrime will not be returned to offenders.

The judgment highlights Nigeria’s continued battle against online fraud. As internet use grows in the country, authorities say stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws is necessary to protect both local and international users.