KWASU student posing as US widow jailed 3 years

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a student of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete.

Ths student, identified as Aderibigbe Sheu, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Sheu was said to have posed as a widow resident in the United States to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The student, who is a native of Oshogbo, Osun state, was one of the 30 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Malete, Moro LGA of Kwara on September 19, 2021.

They were arrested during a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC.

Sheu was charged with one count of cybercrime and retention of proceeds of crime before Muhammed Sani of the federal high court sitting in Ilorin.

Upon arraignment on Wednesday, June 1, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his guilty plea, Rasheedat Alao, counsel to the EFCC, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant.

This included the phone, laptop, and other incriminating materials printed from his devices, which were admitted in evidence.

She urged the court to consider the plea of the defendant, his extra-judicial statements, and all the exhibits tendered to convict him as charged.

In his judgment, Sani pronounced Sheu guilty of the charge and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with the option of a fine in the sum of N982,403.

The court also ordered that the iPhone 7+ and laptop, which were used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the federal government.