Court Sends Gospel Singer, Eight Others To Jail For Cybercrime

A Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has sentenced a self-proclaimed gospel singer, Moses Otitoju, and eight others to various jail terms for cybercrime, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.

Otitoju, a 31-year-old from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was convicted by Justice Abimbola Awogboro and handed a six-month prison sentence without the option of a fine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned him for illegally retaining over N8.4 million in his bank account, proceeds from cybercrime.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Otitoju was charged with keeping N8,404,339 derived from unlawful activities between October 2024 and December 2025—an offence punishable under the EFCC Act of 2004.

Others convicted alongside him include Ayodele Joseph, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Abdulmalik.

Ayodele, found guilty of retaining N243,750 from cyber fraud, received an eight-month sentence without an option of fine. His Tecno 19 phone was forfeited to the federal government.

Adeoye, from Okene, Kogi State, also received an eight-month jail term without the option of fine. He forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9.

Abubakar was sentenced to six months in prison and forfeited an iPhone 16 and Samsung S10.

The EFCC prosecution team—Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama—presented evidence, including statements, gadgets, and recovered sums, which the court accepted.

In a related case, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court convicted Emeka Achi, Isaac Oluwafemi, Afolabi Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek on similar cybercrime-related charges.

Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine. He also ordered the forfeiture of N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone.

Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months each with an option of a N100,000 fine.

Emeka was additionally ordered to refund N3.35 million within three months and report fortnightly to the EFCC with his parents until repayment is complete.