By: Yunusa Umar
The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, presided by Justice Ismail Ijelu on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years’ imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.
A Lagos-based resident, Osaibovo Charles, was sentenced to prison for defrauding a popular Nigerian actor, Fredrick Leonard, of £15,000 in 2022.
According to a statement released by the commission on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Charles was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a six-count charge bordering on fraudulent acts.
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“Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Osaibovo Charles to a total of 50 years’ imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents and money laundering”.
“Charles was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge bordering on the fraudulent collection of £15,000 from one Miss Shenika Garati”.
The commission stated that Charles deceived the victim by impersonating a popular Nigerian actor, Fredrick Leonard, claiming the funds were needed for a movie production in Nigeria.
One of the charges read that: “Charles Osaigbovo and Charles Evans Osaigbovo (deceased), in June 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of £38,000 (Thirty-Eight Thousand Pounds) by false pretence 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 aggregate sum of £15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Pounds) derived directly from your illegal activity by concealing the illegal origin of the same.”
Charles pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them, prompting a full trial.
The prosecution, led by T.J. Banjo, called two witnesses and tendered several documents as evidence, while the defence called one witness.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Having reviewed the evidence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant is found guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.
The sentencing was as follows: on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, he was jailed for 14 years; for obtaining money by false pretence, 14 years; and for stealing, 5 years.
Other sentences include 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents and 3 years for money laundering. All sentences were without the option of a fine.
Meanwhile, Charles was discharged and acquitted on the count of retention of proceeds of crime.
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All the sentences are to run concurrently, amounting to a total of 50 years’ imprisonment.
The court also ordered restitution of £15,000 to the victim, Miss Shenika Garati.
