A Nigerian man has been sentenced to fifty years in prison by the Lagos State High Court for impersonating popular actor Fredrick Leonard and defrauding a woman of thousands of pounds under false pretenses of movie production funding.
Court Delivers Maximum Sentence
Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Ikeja High Court found Osaibovo Charles guilty on five counts of fraud and money laundering following a comprehensive trial prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge declared that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction.
The fraudulent scheme unfolded when Charles posed as well-known Nollywood star Fredrick Leonard and convinced victim Miss Shenika Garati to transfer £15,000 (approximately N28 million) for what he claimed was a genuine film production project in Nigeria.
Detailed Breakdown of Sentences
The court imposed the following sentences for each count: fourteen years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, another fourteen years for obtaining money by false pretence itself, five years for stealing, fourteen years for possession of fraudulent documents, and three years for money laundering.
Justice Ijelu ordered that all prison terms run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve a maximum of fifty years in prison. The judgment specifically excluded any option for fines, ensuring Charles serves the full duration of his sentence.
Restitution Order and Trial Proceedings
In addition to the prison sentence, the court mandated Charles to repay the full £15,000 to Miss Garati as restitution for the financial damages she suffered. The conviction came after Charles pleaded not guilty, forcing the EFCC to present evidence from two witnesses and multiple documents during the full trial.
The EFCC successfully secured the conviction on November 18, 2025, demonstrating the anti-graft agency's commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens from sophisticated fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting victims.
