Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, presided over by Justice Ismail Ijelu, on Tuesday sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years in prison for multiple fraud-related offences.
Charles, who faced six charges including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court heard that Charles defrauded Miss Shenika Garati of £15,000 by impersonating popular Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard, claiming the money was urgently needed for a movie production in Nigeria.
According to the EFCC, Charles and his late associate, Charles Evans Osaigbovo, conspired in June 2022 to obtain £38,000 from Miss Garati by false pretence. The prosecution also said the £15,000 transferred to Charles was derived from illegal activities, which he attempted to conceal.
Charles had pleaded not guilty to all charges, leading to a full trial. The prosecution called two witnesses and submitted multiple documents, while the defence called one witness.
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In delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu said the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. “Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.
The court sentenced Charles to 14 years each for conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence, 5 years for stealing, 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and 3 years for money laundering. The sentences are to run concurrently, totaling 50 years.
Charles was acquitted on one count of retention of proceeds of crime. In addition to imprisonment, the court ordered him to refund £15,000 to the victim, Miss Garati.