LAGOS, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Olukeye Adeayo Olalekan to a cumulative 76 years in prison after convicting him on 18 counts, including child pornography, cyberstalking, fraud, and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against Olalekan following a complex investigation that involved international cooperation, particularly with law enforcement authorities in Canada.
The offences ranged from the distribution and procurement of child pornography to the unlawful retention and concealment of fraudulent proceeds, as well as obtaining property by false pretences.
The EFCC said Olalekan’s activities violated several Nigerian laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015; the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Counts one to three concerned the distribution and procurement of child pornography.
Count four dealt with cyberstalking, while counts five through nine addressed the retention of criminal proceeds.
Counts 10 to 14 focused on disguising the origins of those proceeds, and counts 15 to 18 related to fraudulently obtaining property under false pretences.
Olalekan was initially arraigned on September 6, 2023 before Justice Y.G. Ringim, where he entered a not guilty plea.
The case was later reassigned and heard de novo before Justices Kehinde Ogundare and Alexander Owoeye.
According to the prosecution, the case drew global attention following the death of 14-year-old Robin Janjus in British Columbia, Canada.
The British Columbia Serious Crime Unit launched an investigation and recovered the victim’s mobile phone, which contained communications that led investigators to multiple social media accounts operated by Olalekan.
The EFCC said Olalekan had posed online as a female from North Carolina, using platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to lure victims.
He reportedly engaged in sexually exploitative conversations with minors, threatened to circulate nude images, and orchestrated fraudulent transactions involving cryptocurrency and gift cards.
An undercover operation led to the confirmation of his digital footprints and illicit activity. Forensic analysis further supported the allegations brought against him.
After a full trial and evaluation of the evidence, the court found Olalekan guilty on all counts.
He was sentenced to a total of 76 years’ imprisonment, though it remains unclear whether the terms will run concurrently or consecutively.
The EFCC welcomed the verdict, describing it as a strong message against cybercrime and exploitation of minors.
