‘Nollywood Actor’ Sentenced To 50 Years Imprisonment For Defrauding Woman Of £15,000 In Lagos

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A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced Osaibovo Charles to 50 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of defrauding a woman of £15,000.

Naija News reports that Justice Ismail Ijelu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Charles was convicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and money laundering. He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate I, for offences linked to the defrauding of Miss Shenika Garati.

According to the EFCC, Charles impersonated Nollywood actor Fredrick Leonard and claimed he required funds for a movie project. One of the charges revealed that in June 2022, he conspired to obtain £38,000 from the victim, and another established that between February and August 2022, he transferred £15,000 from the illicit scheme while concealing its origin.

Charles pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial. The prosecution called two witnesses and tendered multiple documents, while the defence presented one witness.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Charles on all counts except the charge of retention of proceeds of crime, for which he was discharged.

The court imposed the following sentences:

• 14 years for conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence,

• 14 years for obtaining money by false pretence,

• 5 years for stealing,

• 14 years for possession of fraudulent documents, and

• 3 years for money laundering.

The sentences will run concurrently, amounting to a total of 50 years imprisonment.

Justice Ijelu also ordered Charles to refund the £15,000 to Miss Garati.