Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
A Lagos High Court has handed down a 50-year prison sentence to Osaibovo Charles for engaging in multiple fraudulent activities. Justice Ismail Ijelu convicted him on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, after finding him guilty of charges including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.
Charles was arraigned by the EFCC for tricking a woman, Miss Shenika Garati, out of £15,000. He falsely claimed to be Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard and told her that the money was needed for a movie production in Nigeria. The court heard that in June 2022, Charles, working with the now-deceased Charles Evans Osaigbovo, conspired to fraudulently take £38,000 from Miss Garati. He also transferred £15,000 from illegal activities and tried to hide the origin of the money.
During the trial, Charles pleaded not guilty, but after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution, the judge found him guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. The court sentenced him to 14 years each for conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence, five years for stealing, 14 years for possessing fake documents, and three years for money laundering. All the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will spend a maximum of 50 years in prison. The court also ordered him to return the stolen £15,000 to the victim.
Additionally, Charles was discharged and acquitted of a charge related to retaining proceeds of crime. This case sends a strong message that fraud and scams will be met with severe punishment in Lagos, protecting innocent people from being defrauded.
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