Man Jailed 76 Years for Child Pornography, Cyberstalking, and Fraud

A man jailed for 76 years by a Federal High Court in Lagos State has become the focus of a major legal victory for cybercrime enforcement in Nigeria. Olukeye Adeayo Olalekan was convicted on Thursday of multiple offences, including child pornography, cyberstalking, money laundering, and advance fee fraud, marking one of the harshest sentences handed down in recent cybercrime-related cases.

Justice Alexander Owoeye delivered the judgment, finding the accused guilty on all 18 counts brought against man by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges stemmed from a large-scale investigation into online criminal activity that extended beyond Nigeria’s borders and involved international cooperation with law enforcement agencies abroad.

The charges against Olalekan included distribution and procurement of child pornography, cyberstalking, retention and concealment of criminal proceeds, and obtaining property under false pretences. The EFCC brought the charges under several laws, including:

• The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015

• The Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006

• The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

Prosecutor Mrs. Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, representing the EFCC, told the court that Olalekan’s conduct violated multiple sections of these laws, including Section 23(1)(c), Section 24(2)(c), and Section 16(2)(d), among others.

Man Jailed After International Investigation

The conviction followed a multi-jurisdictional investigation that involved cooperation between Nigerian man authorities and foreign law enforcement. According to Buhari-Bala, the British Columbia Serious Crime Unit in Canada had opened a homicide investigation following the death of 14-year-old Robin Janjus, who was discovered deceased at home.

Digital forensics performed on the teenager’s phone linked several social media accounts to Olalekan, who had been posing online as a young woman from North Carolina, USA. Through platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, he allegedly engaged in catfishing minors, soliciting nude photos, and threatening to release explicit content unless demands were met.

The EFCC revealed that the convict also used the internet to conduct financial scams, defrauding individuals through gift cards and cryptocurrency transactions under false identities.

“An undercover operation revealed that the convict posed as a female and engaged in solicitation, sextortion, and financial fraud schemes involving minors,” said Buhari-Bala. “The scale and complexity of the case required extensive digital tracing and cross-border collaboration.”

Olalekan was initially arraigned on September 6, 2023, before Justice Y.G. Ringim, where he entered a not guilty plea. The case was subsequently reassigned and heard de novo by Justice Kehinde Ogundare, and later continued under Justice Owoeye.

Throughout the trial, five prosecution witnesses were called by the EFCC. Among them were two digital investigators who played a critical role in linking the defendant to the digital evidence that underpinned much of the case.

Their testimonies included forensic analysis, chat logs, IP traces, and records of online transactions — all of which tied Olalekan to the crimes. The court was also presented with financial records showing funds obtained through fraudulent schemes.

In delivering the final verdict, Justice Owoeye found Olalekan guilty on all 18 charges and imposed a cumulative sentence of 76 years in prison. The judge described the crimes as “heinous” and a “grave threat to society,” particularly given the involvement of minors and vulnerable individuals.

The sentence, though severe, reflects a growing trend in Nigerian courts to issue stiffer penalties in cybercrime and child exploitation cases, especially those with international implications.

Following the judgment, the EFCC praised the outcome as a milestone in cybercrime prosecution and a warning to others engaging in illicit online activities.

“This conviction sends a strong message to those who exploit technology for criminal gain. No matter how complex or digital the crime, the law will catch up with you,” the agency said in a statement.

The public has largely welcomed the sentence, with child protection and digital safety advocates urging authorities to invest further in cybercrime units, forensic training, and inter-agency collaboration.

The man jailed in this case is part of a broader crackdown by Nigerian authorities on online exploitation, particularly crimes involving children, identity theft, and cross-border financial fraud.

As digital platforms continue to expand, law enforcement agencies are adapting through digital forensics and international partnerships to ensure that cyberspace remains a safe environment.

Source- Punch