A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of defrauding a United Kingdom resident of £15,000.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, by Justice Ismail Ijelu, brought an end to a protracted trial that began after Charles was arrested and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate I.
According to the EFCC, Charles posed online as Nollywood star Fredrick Leonard and lured his victim, Miss Shenika Garati, into sending money under the guise of funding an alleged movie project.
Prosecutors said he also attempted to obtain an additional £38,000 from her during the scam, which ran between February and August 2022.
During the trial, the EFCC presented two witnesses and several incriminating documents, while the defence put forward one witness in an effort to establish Charles’s innocence.
Despite his not-guilty plea, the court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was overwhelming.
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Justice Ijelu ruled that the EFCC successfully proved the charges of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering. However, Charles was acquitted on the count of retaining proceeds of crime.
He received the following sentences:
* 14 years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence
* 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence
* 5 years for stealing
* 14 years for possessing fraudulent documents
* 3 years for money laundering
The judge ordered that all sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total of 50 years in prison.
In addition, Charles was directed to refund £15,000 to Miss Garati, the amount established as part of the unlawful transactions.
The ruling marks another victory for the EFCC as it continues its crackdown on cybercrime and romance scams targeting foreign victims.
