Judge Dumps Scales in Prison over N525m Internet Fraud

Matilda Omonaiye/

A suspected international fraudster called Scales Ishola has been remanded in prison as the law begins to take its cause in a cybercrime case involving victims in Norway who have lost over N525 million.

The Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 2, arraigned Ishola before Justice A.A. Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on a 45-count charge bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretense, conspiracy and fraud.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Scales Olatunji Ishola ‘M’, Meraiyebu Charles ‘M’ (at large), Gabriel Adeyemi Olugbenga ‘M’ (at large), Ojomo Oluwatobi Ayodele ‘M’ (at large) and Adekola Oluwatoyin (at large), between January 2017 to October 2018, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, did knowingly cause the loss of N525,172,580 only, being property of the government and people of Norway and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14 (2) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.”

Scales, along with his accomplices who are currently at large, allegedly specialized in impersonating people and using their identity to defraud unsuspecting victims by sending various business emails with fake identities and duping them of several millions in various currencies.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

In view of his plea, counsel for the EFCC, Nwandu Ukoha, prayed the court to remand him in prison and fix a date for commencement of trial.

The court had on July 1, 2019, granted an application made by the prosecution seeking for an interim forfeiture of properties belonging to them. The properties include, House No. 6, Road 2 Westend Estate, Ikota Lekki, Lagos State, and House No. 10, Donatus Odum Street, Ikate, Lagos State.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to October 16, 2019, for a hearing of bail application.