According to reports released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on it’s X official page, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, sentenced Aluko Tunmise, a self-proclaimed social media influencer and model, to one year in prison for engaging in celebrity scam.
Tunmise, who was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pleaded guilty to the charge of cybercrime.
The court heard that Tunmise, using the alias “Keanu Reeves,” falsely portrayed himself as a white man on his Telegram Account between January and March 2024 in Lagos.
This act aimed to deceive others into issuing financial instruments to him, violating Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Vincent Sunday Kwambuge of the EFCC testified that Tunmise was arrested in March 2024 at Lekki County Estate, Lagos, following credible intelligence on internet fraudsters.
An iPhone 12 Pro Max was recovered from him at the time of arrest, and forensic evidence from his phone confirmed his involvement in celebrity scam.
In light of his guilty plea, the prosecution sought to present Tunmise’s statements, iPhone, and forensic investigation documents as evidence. Justice Aneke admitted these exhibits.
Tunmise’s defense counsel, A.O. Idowu, pleaded for leniency, noting that his client is a first-time offender who regrets his actions and asked for a non-custodial sentence.
Justice Aneke sentenced Tunmise to one year in prison with an option of a N300,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
The judge also ordered that Tunmise’s mobile phone be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Tunmise’s conviction centered on his impersonation of celebrities for financial gain.
