The Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a foreign victim of £15,000 after impersonating popular Nollywood actor Fredrick Leonard.

Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, convicting Charles on multiple counts, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.

Charles was prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge relating to the fraudulent collection of £15,000 from Miss Shenika Garati.

According to the EFCC, Charles deceived the victim by posing as Fredrick Leonard and claiming the funds were required for a movie production in Nigeria.

One of the charges stated:

“Charles Osaigbovo and Charles Evans Osaigbovo (deceased), in June 2022, in Lagos, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of £38,000 by false pretence from Miss Shenika Garati.”

Another count alleged:

“Osaibovo Charles, sometime between February and August 2022, in Lagos, transferred the aggregate sum of £15,000 derived directly from your illegal activity by concealing the illegal origin of the same.”

Charles pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, leading to a full trial. The prosecution, led by T.J. Banjo, presented two witnesses and multiple documents as evidence, while the defence called one witness.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu ruled that the prosecution had provided overwhelming evidence:

“Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged.”

The court sentenced Charles as follows:

• 14 years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence
• 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence
• 5 years for stealing
• 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents
• 3 years for money laundering

All sentences are without the option of a fine and will run concurrently, resulting in a cumulative term of 50 years. He was, however, discharged and acquitted on the charge of retention of proceeds of crime.

The court also ordered Charles to restitute the £15,000 to Miss Shenika Garati, marking a significant enforcement action in the EFCC’s ongoing fight against internet fraud, impersonation, and financial crimes.