The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned eleven students from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), accusing them of being involved in internet fraud.
These students faced charges before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State.
The arrests were part of a broader operation, leading to the apprehension of 69 suspected internet fraudsters on November 1, 2023, in the Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
This operation was carried out based on actionable intelligence regarding their alleged participation in various fraudulent internet-related activities.
The eleven students, whose names have not been disclosed, were arraigned on Monday, facing a range of counts filed against them by the EFCC.
Nine of the accused faced one-count charges, while the remaining two students had a total of six charges each. All of them pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them.
The court has adjourned the case to November 29 and December 12, 2023, respectively, for the commencement of the trial. Meanwhile, the defendants have been remanded at the Ilesha Correctional Centre in Osun State, pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
This development marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in Nigeria and sends a strong message to potential offenders.
