On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced one Osaibovo Charles to a total of 50 years in prison for crimes that included money-gathering, stealing, possessing deceptive documents, and money laundering.
On a six-count charge that resembles the fraudulent collection of £15,000 from one Miss Shenika Garati, Charles was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s Lagos Zonal Directorate I.
By pretending to be Fredrick Leonard, a Nigerian actor, and claiming the funds were required for a film production in Nigeria, he deceived the victim.
According to one of the allegations, Charles Osaigbovo and Charles Evans Osaigbovo (deceased) conspired to defraud in Lagos, Nigeria, with the intent to defraud, to obtain the sum of £38, 000 (Thirty-Eight Thousand Pounds) under false pretense from Miss Shenika Garati.
Another count reads, “Osaibovo Charles, sometime between February and August 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transferred the total sum of £15, 000 (Fifteen Thousand Pounds) derived directly from your illegal activity by concealing the same’s illegal origin.”
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When Charles read the charges to them, he entered a guilty plea, which resulted in a thorough trial.
The prosecution, led by T. J. Banjo called two witnesses, presented several evidence documents, and called just one, according to the defense.
Justice Ijelu ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond a shadow of a doubt before rendering the judgment.
The court is satisfied that the prosecution has established beyond a shadow of a doubt the case, based on the evidence. The judge declared that the defendant was guilty as charged.
He was given a 14-year prison sentence for conspiracy to obtain money using false pretenses, a 14-year prison sentence for stealing money, and a five-year prison sentence for stealing.
Additionally, money laundering and possession of falsified documents are sentenced to 14 years in prison. No option was left open for fines in all sentences.
On the other hand, Charles was cleared of the charge of retaining the proceeds of crime.
A total of 50 years’ imprisonment is served concurrently with the sentences.
Source: Channels TV
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