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 a celebrity scam. Tunmise was charged by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with cybercrimes.
The charge detailed that between January and March 2024, Tunmise falsely presented himself as “Keanu Reeves” on Telegram, intending to use this false identity to obtain financial instruments. This act contravenes Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Tunmise pled guilty to the charge. Following his plea, EFCC prosecutor C.C. Okezie called EFCC operative Vincent Sunday Kwambuge to testify on the case. Kwambuge revealed that Tunmise was arrested in March 2024 at Lekki County Estate, Lagos, based on credible intelligence about internet fraudsters. An iPhone 12 Pro Max was seized during the arrest.
Kwambuge further stated that Tunmise confessed to engaging in celebrity scams, specifically impersonating famous individuals for financial gain. The court admitted as evidence the defendant’s extra-judicial statements, the iPhone, and forensic investigation documents.
Defense counsel A.O. Idowu requested leniency for Tunmise, noting that he was a first-time offender and had expressed remorse for his actions. Idowu also requested a non-custodial sentence.
Ultimately, Justice Aneke sentenced Tunmise to one year in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N300,000 and complete 100 hours of community service. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Tunmise’s conviction underscores the consequences of impersonating celebrities for monetary gain.
