Man Poses Like Veteran Actor, Scams Woman of N28m for Fake Movie Project
- A Nigerian High Court has found a man guilty on five counts of fraud and money laundering after a full trial
- The convict deceived his victim by falsely claiming the funds were needed for a movie production in Nigeria
- All prison sentences were ordered to run concurrently without an option for a fine
A Lagos High Court has sentenced a fraudster to five decades in prison for impersonating a popular actor to steal thousands of pounds from a foreign national.
Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Ikeja court found Osaibovo Charles guilty on multiple charges.
Source: Facebook
The conviction followed a thorough prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The court heard that Charles deceived Miss Shenika Garati by posing as well-known Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard.
As narrated by the anti-graft commission, the fraudster convinced the victim to send £15,000 under the false pretense that the money was for a film production.
Charles faced a six-count charge that included conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, and money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty, which led to a full trial where the prosecution presented evidence from two witnesses and several documents.
Lengthy prison term handed down
In his ruling, Justice Ijelu stated that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge found Charles guilty on all counts except one, for which he was acquitted.
“Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.
The court imposed a cumulative sentence of 50 years. For the charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, Charles received a 14-year sentence.
Source: Facebook
He received another 14 years for the act of obtaining money by false pretence itself. The court also sentenced him to five years for stealing, 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and three years for money laundering. Justice Ijelu ordered that all sentences run concurrently.
He also mandated Charles to repay the full £15,000 to the victim.
EFCC said:
"All the sentences are to run concurrently, amounting to a total of 50 years’ imprisonment. The court also ordered restitution of £15,000 to the victim, Miss Shenika Garati."
The judge specified that none of the prison terms came with an option for a fine. This ruling ensures the convict will serve the full duration of his sentence.
EFCC declares former Buhari's minister wanted
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted. The EFCC said Sylva is wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
According to the EFCC, the money is "part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery".
The anti-graft head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, made this known in a statement issued via the EFCC X handle @officialEFCC on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Source: Legit.ng
