Courts / Dublin / Report

Mother-of-six avoids jail over role in complex money laundering operation

Date
2017-11-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Oyindamola Ojo, a 37‑year‑old Nigerian mother of six living in Balbriggan, Dublin, received a three‑year suspended sentence for her role in a complex money‑laundering scheme that involved Ireland, the UK and Nigeria. She opened seven credit‑union accounts across three Irish counties, using forged Electric Ireland bills and "compromised" UK debit and credit cards to withdraw €1,800 from St Mary's Credit Union, €2,500 from Palmerstown Credit Union and attempted to withdraw €4,800 from Dunboyne Credit Union between December 2014 and January 2015. Ojo also pleaded guilty to using false bills at Dunboyne, Nolan's and Waterford Credit Unions, and to dishonestly inducing a replacement of an iPhone 6 Plus at Carphone Warehouse. She claimed she was drawn into the operation by an ex‑partner and a friend, both based in Nigeria, and that she feared for her three children's safety. Ojo had no prior convictions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother-of-six avoids jail over role in complex money laundering operation. Charges or matters: stealing €1,800 from St Mary's Credit Union, Navan, Co Meath; theft of €2,500 from Palmerstown Credit Union in Dublin and attempting to steal €4,800 from Dunboyne Credit Union, Co Meath on dates between December 11, 2014 and January 9, 2015; using false Electric Ireland bills at Dunboyne Credit Union, Nolan's Credit Union in Trim, Co Meath and Waterford Credit Union on dates between December 2, 2014 and January 15, 2015; dishonestly inducing another to replace one iPhone 6 Plus with a similar model at Carphone Warehouse, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan between January 24 and 28, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 11, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
January 9, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
December 2, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
January 15, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
January 24 Other
2017-11-01 Publication

Why: She failed to withdraw €4,800 from one account because her bank card was not the same one used to lodge the money. CNI source report

Case subjects

Oyindamola Ojo

Defendant

Charges: stealing €1,800 from St Mary's Credit Union, Navan, Co Meath; theft of €2,500 from Palmerstown Credit Union in Dublin and attempting to steal €4,800 from Dunboyne Credit Union, Co Meath on dates between December 11, 2014 and January 9, 2015; using false Electric Ireland bills at Dunboyne Credit Union, Nolan's Credit Union in Trim, Co Meath and Waterford Credit Union on dates between December 2, 2014 and January 15, 2015; dishonestly inducing another to replace one iPhone 6 Plus with a similar model at Carphone Warehouse, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan between January 24 and 28, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He suspended the sentence for three years and ordered that the €1,500 in court be handed over to the gardai.