Gospel Artiste, 8 Others Jailed For Cybercrime In Kwara
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that a 31-year-old gospel singer, Otitoju Moses Sesan, along with eight other individuals, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for cybercrime-related offences.
Their varying offences bordered on cybercrime, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.
They were prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The gospel artiste, Otitoju, from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was on Thursday, July 17, 2025, sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.
In his statement, Otitoju said he was a popular gospel performer at weddings, naming ceremonies, and funerals in Lokoja, Kogi State.
He was, however, found guilty of retaining the proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to over N8.4 million in his bank account.
The charge against him reads in part: “That you, OTITOJU MOSES SESAN, sometime between October 2024 and December 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did retain control of the gross sum of N8,404,339 in your UBA account, being proceeds of criminal conduct, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.”
He was convicted alongside Ayodele Joseph Daisi, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik, all arraigned on similar charges.
Ayodele, who was found to have retained N243,750 in his bank account, was jailed for eight months without the option of a fine. His Techno 19 phone was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
Adeoye, from Okene LGA of Kogi State, was handed eight months imprisonment without option of fine as well. He forfeited the sum of $220, an iPhone 13, and a Techno Pop 9 phone to the Federal Government.
Abubakar was sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an order of forfeiture of his iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 to the Federal Government.
The EFCC was represented by Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama, who tendered statements, exhibits, and sums recovered as restitution, which were admitted in evidence.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court convicted Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, Afolabi Faith Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek on charges including cybercrime and misappropriation.
Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine and ordered the final forfeiture of N800,000, one iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone to the Federal Government.
Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months imprisonment each with an option of a N100,000 fine.
Emeka was further ordered to refund N3.35 million within three months and to report every fortnight with his parents to the EFCC until full repayment is made.
