A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, presided over by Justice S.M. Shuaibu, has convicted and sentenced 12 internet fraudsters to various jail terms and fines for cybercrime, impersonation, money laundering, and retention of proceeds of crime.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being arrested in Nasarawa and Niger states through intelligence-led operations that uncovered their illicit online activities.
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The Convicted Fraudsters
The convicted individuals include:
Michael Yakubu
Udo Promise Jonah
Promise Isah Ibrahim
Samuel Odeh
Abdulsamad Muhammad
Agboeze Chibueke Ernest
Ochuba Chigozie
Abu David Eleojo
David Aaron
Chidi Destiny Chidiebere
Collins Noel
Ola Ajibola
They were each arraigned on separate one-count charges, ranging from cybercrime, impersonation, and retention of crime proceeds to money laundering.
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Details of Offences and Sentences
For example, Michael Yakubu, under the alias “Beksolk_Official”, was convicted of impersonating a U.S. citizen on Instagram and defrauding victims of $300. Similarly, Ochuba Chigozie was found guilty of retaining $200, suspected to be proceeds of crime.
All defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. While EFCC counsel M. Lawal and M.U. Gadaka urged the court to convict accordingly, the defence pleaded for leniency.
Ochuba Chigozie and Abu David Eleojo received 5-year sentences or N500,000 fines each. Chigozie forfeited an Infinix X68IIB phone and $200, while Eleojo forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro Max and $300.