Social Media Influencer Sentenced to One Year in Lagos for Celebrity Scam

On May 15, 2024, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, sentenced Aluko Tunmise, a self-proclaimed social media influencer and model, to one year in prison for cybercrimes related to a celebrity scam. 

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Tunmise with one count of cybercrime.

The charge detailed that between January and March 2024, Tunmise falsely represented himself as a white man named "Keanu Reeves" on his Telegram account. This fraudulent act was intended to procure financial benefits, a violation under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Upon the reading of the charge, Tunmise pleaded guilty. The EFCC's prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, called on Vincent Sunday Kwambuge, an EFCC operative, to provide a factual review of the case. Kwambuge recounted that Tunmise was arrested in March 2024 at Lekki County Estate, Lagos, following a tip-off about internet fraudsters operating in the area. An iPhone 12 Pro Max was seized from Tunmise during the arrest.

Kwambuge further testified that Tunmise had confessed to the celebrity scam during interrogation and that forensic evidence was retrieved from his phone. The court admitted the defendant’s statements, the iPhone, and forensic documents as evidence.

Defense counsel A.O. Idowu requested leniency, highlighting that Tunmise was a first-time offender and had expressed remorse. Idowu also advocated for a non-custodial sentence.

Justice Aneke sentenced Tunmise to one year in prison but provided the option of a N300,000 fine and 100 hours of community service. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of Tunmise's mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Tunmise's conviction highlights the consequences of impersonating celebrities for financial gain.