A Lagos High Court has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years in prison for impersonation and multiple fraud offenses.
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Osaibovo Charles to a total of 50 years’ imprisonment for multiple fraud-related offences, according to TRIBUNE. The judgment was delivered by Justice Ismail Ijelu, who found Charles guilty on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering.
The court established that Charles impersonated popular Nigerian actor Fredrick Leonard to obtain £15,000 from a victim, Miss Shenika Garati, claiming the funds were urgently required for a movie production in Nigeria. The charge further revealed that Charles and an accomplice, now deceased, conspired in June 2022 to obtain £38,000 from Garati under false pretence.
During trial, Charles pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution team led by T.J. Banjo to call two witnesses and tender several documents. The defence called one witness. Justice Ijelu ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. “The defendant is found guilty as charged,” he declared.
Charles received 14 years for conspiracy, 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence, 5 years for stealing, 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and 3 years for money laundering—all without the option of a fine. The sentences will run concurrently.
He was ordered to pay £15,000 in restitution to the victim.