Lagos court jails man for 50 years for impersonating actor Fredrick Leonard to defraud woman

Lagos court jails man for 50 years for impersonating actor Fredrick Leonard to defraud woman

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years in prison for defrauding a woman, Shenika Garati, by impersonating Nollywood actor Fredrick Leonard.

Charles was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, theft, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.

Court documents show that Charles, along with his late relative Charles Evans Osaigbovo, conspired in June 2022 to defraud Garati of £38,000, claiming the funds were intended for a movie production in Nigeria. Between February and August 2022, he transferred £15,000 while concealing its origin, constituting money laundering.

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Charles pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting a full trial. The prosecution called two witnesses and submitted documentary evidence, while the defence presented a single witness.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ismail Ijelu found Charles guilty on five of the six counts, acquitting him on the charge of retention of proceeds of crime. Sentences include 14 years each for conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and possession of fraudulent documents, five years for theft, and three years for money laundering, all running concurrently.

Additionally, the court ordered Charles to repay £15,000 to the victim, ensuring partial restitution for the fraud.

 

Lagos court jails man for 50 years for impersonating actor Fredrick Leonard to defraud woman