A gospel singer and eight others have been sentenced to prison in Kwara State for internet fraud and financial crimes. The convictions were handled by the Ilorin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as reported by Eyes of Lagos.

The EFCC released a statement on July 18, 2025, confirming that Moses Otitoju, a 31-year-old gospel singer from Kogi State, was sentenced to six months in prison without the option to pay a fine. Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin ruled that Otitoju was guilty of keeping N8.4 million in his bank account, which came from illegal activities. Although Otitoju said he sings at weddings and funerals, the court found him guilty of breaking the EFCC Act of 2004.

Others convicted alongside Otitoju also received jail time. Ayodele Joseph was sentenced to eight months in prison without the option of a fine, and a Techno 19 phone was taken from him. Adeoye Joseph got the same sentence and had to give up $220, an iPhone 13, and a Techno Pop 9. Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik received six months in prison and forfeited an iPhone 16 and a Samsung S10.

In addition, the Kwara State High Court also convicted more people. Abdulkadir Taofeek was given three years in prison or the option to pay a fine of N500,000. He also had to give up N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone. Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, and Afolabi Faith Olatoye were each sentenced to six months in prison or allowed to pay a fine of N100,000. Emeka was also ordered to return N3.35 million within three months.

The EFCC’s legal team, led by Aliyu Adebayo, brought forward strong evidence, including bank statements, stolen funds, and recovered gadgets, which helped secure the convictions.

The EFCC continues to focus on stopping internet crime in Nigeria. Many of the offenders lost their gadgets and had to return stolen money. In some cases, families of the convicts may be asked to assist in returning the funds.