N525m fraud: Court of Appeal upholds internet fraudster Scales Olatunji’s conviction

The Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of a notorious international fraudster, Scales Olatunji, who was convicted for internet fraud and money laundering charges by a Federal High Court (FHC), sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to a Tuesday statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the fraudster’s conviction was affirmed by the appellate court on Friday, June 23.

Justice Agatha Okeke of the FHC had on June 27, 2022, found Olatunji guilty of 45 count charges of internet fraud and money laundering preferred against him by the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC and sentenced him to 235 years imprisonment, without an option of a fine.

The convict was prosecuted, following the receipt of a petition by Oslo Police District, Norway, requesting the assistance of the commission in investigating a network of Nigerian citizens, who had serially duped some Norwegians.

The EFCC told the Federal High Court that investigations showed that the convict belonged to a syndicate of internet fraudsters who specialized in Business Email Compromise (BEC).

Olatunji defrauded the Norwegian Government and its citizens to the tune of N525, 172, 580.

He used the proceeds of the crime to purchase luxurious properties in choice areas within Lagos State.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offence is in contravention of the provisions of Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

However, dissatisfied with the judgment, Olatunji approached the appellate court, where he raised 11 grounds of appeal and prayed the court to set aside the judgment of Justice Okeke.

While arguing against the appeal, counsel to the EFCC, Nwandu Ukoha prayed the court to uphold the judgment of the lower court and dismiss the appeal on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubts”.

Delivering judgment on Friday, the three-man panel led by Justice Muhammed Baba Idris, upheld the conviction of Olatunji and dismissed his appeal.