Eleven students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) were, on Monday 6 November 2023, arraigned at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were arraigned on different count charges, ranging from one to six charges against them, EFCC said in a statement.
The names of the defendants are Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye.
Others are Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul.
Nine of the defendants were arraigned on one count charge each, while the remaining two: Micah and Obaro had six count charges filed against each of them.
The defendants were among the 69 suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Wednesday, November 01, 2023 at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife in Osun State.
This follows actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
After the charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty.
Consequently, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court for trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.
In response, defence counsels to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients which have been served on the prosecution, therefore urging the court to admit the six defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel, having listened to the prayers of both parties, admitted Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe to bail.
Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye and Okesipe were admitted to bail in the sum of N2,000,000 each while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3,000,000.
Other bail conditions are: two sureties in like sum, first surety must be the defendant’s father or mother, second surety must be a relative, sibling, clergy or civil servant with the Osun State Government.
The sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and both residential and office addresses of the sureties, as well as their statuses must be provided and verified by the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matters to November 29 and December 12, 2023 respectively for commencement of trial and remanded the defendants at the Ilesha Correctional Centre, Osun State pending the perfection of their bail conditions.