A Lagos Federal High Court, on Friday, remanded an alleged Sextortionist, Olukayode Adedayo, in the Nigerian Correctional Services Centre (NCoS), Ikoyi after he was arraigned on charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Tijjani Ringim, who presided over court made remand order, after Olukayode was arraigned by the EFCC on 18 counts charge bordering on Sextortion and cybercrime offences.
Olukeye was arrested by the EFCC operatives on August 4, 2023, at Akute area of Ogun State, following intelligence report received by the Commission from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The defendant who pretended to be a female, to the victim had in his possession nude photos of the victim. Investigation revealed that the suspect later used the images of the 14-year-old Canadian boy, to blackmail him, a situation that led to his death.
During a search conducted on his residence in Ilaro, Ogun State by the EFCC operatives, a mobile phone with incriminating documents was recovered from him.
One of the counts preferred against his reads: “That You Olukeye AdeDayo Olalekan (a.k.a hrm877, charlotte 708 and harlilott_716 on or about the 13th February, 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court intentionally used the Instagram virtual network to create a group “Expose Janjuarobin Nudes” to distribute child pornography and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 23(1) (c)and punishable under section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the 18- count charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court for an accelerated trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Services centre and urged the court to order for accelerated trial
In his submission, Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court that the international image of Nigeria, is in jeopardy as both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) complained to Nigeria about this matter and how it relates to the sudden death of a 14 year old Minor.
Lawyer to the defence, P. O. Onikoyin, informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution.
Oyedepo (SAN) in his response, told the court that he was just served and will need time to respond to the bail application.
The Judge ordered that the defendant be remanded In prison Custody.
The matter was adjourned till November 6 and 9 2023, for hearing of Motion and commencement of trial.