A United States court has handed down prison sentences to two Nigerians, David Daniyan, widely known as Bamikole Laniyan, and Akeem Balogun, after they were found guilty of participating in a bank and wire fraud operation that netted millions of dollars.
The pair were convicted for their involvement in a syndicate led by Oluwaseun “SANATANA” Adekoya, described by American authorities as the “Nigerian ringleader of nationwide bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies.”
Adekoya was earlier slammed with a 20 year sentence for stealing and laundering close to two million dollars through elaborate bank and wire fraud schemes.
According to a statement released by the United States Department of Justice, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli confirmed that all three men were sentenced on Tuesday.
Daniyan, 61, received a 54 month prison term, in addition to one year of supervised release, and was directed to pay more than 2.2 million dollars in restitution.
Prosecutors said he pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Balogun, 56, also entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
He was sentenced to 21 months in prison, with two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay 262,200 dollars in restitution.
