Charles Osaibovo is sentenced to 50 years for defrauding a foreign woman of £15k after impersonating actor Fredrick Leonard, a Lagos court rules

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced Charles Osaibovo to 50 years imprisonment for defrauding a foreign woman of £15,000 after impersonating Nollywood actor Fredrick Leonard.

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Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the sweeping verdict on Tuesday, holding that Osaibovo deceived his victim, Miss Shenika Garati, into sending the money under the false claim that it was required for a film production in Nigeria.

The judge declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Osaibovo was arraigned on six counts, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents and money laundering.

He pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial in which the prosecution, led by T. J. Banjo, presented two witnesses and documentary evidence, while the defence called one witness.

In a firm ruling, Justice Ijelu stated that the evidence demonstrated a deliberate scheme to defraud.

He convicted Osaibovo on all but one charge and issued heavy sentences: 14 years for conspiracy, 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence, five years for theft, 14 years for possessing fraudulent documents and three years for money laundering.

The court ordered that all terms run concurrently, amounting to a total of 50 years with no option of fine.

He was, however, acquitted on one count relating to the retention of proceeds of crime.

The court further directed Osaibovo to refund the £15,000 to the victim. EFCC records also indicated that Osaibovo and his now-deceased accomplice, Charles Evans Osaigbovo, had earlier conspired in June 2022 to obtain an additional £38,000 from Garati through similar fraudulent claims.

Prosecutors told the court that between February and August 2022, Osaibovo transferred £15,000 derived from his illegal activities while attempting to conceal its origin.