Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kano, Kano State has convicted and sentenced 12 people to jail for multiple fraud.
The convicts are: 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, and Ola Ajibola.
They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charge, bordering on cybercrime, impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
The charge against Yakubu reads: “That you Michael Yakubu (a.k.a Beksolk_official), sometimes in April, 2025 at Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Beksolk_Official (a United States of America citizen) on Instagram (a social media platform) and in such assumed character obtained the sum of $300 (Three Hundred USD) from unsuspecting victims and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Etc Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
That of Chigozie reads: “That you Ochuba Chigozie, sometime in April, 2025 in Tammah Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained the total sum of $200.00 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) which you knew that such fund forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to their charge, following which the prosecution counsel, M. Lawal and M.U Gadaka asked the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that their clients have become remorseful of their actions.
Justice Shuaibu sentenced Chigozie and Eleojo to five years imprisonment, respectively or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, each. In addition, Chigozie forfeited an Infinix X68IIB mobile phone and the sum of $200 (Two Hundred Dollars), while Abu forfeited iPhone 14 Promax and the sum of $300 (Three Hundred Dollars).
Aaron, Yakubu, Jonah and Odeh were sentenced to five years imprisonment each or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively. In addition, Aaron forfeited iPhone II and the sum of $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars), Yakubu forfeited Oppo A18 mobile phone and the sum of $300.00 (Three Hundred Dollars), Jonah forfeited Samsung Galaxy S21 and the sum of $200.00 (Two Hundred Dollars), while Odeh forfeited Redmi 13C mobile phone and the sum of $30 (Thirty USD).
Chidiebere was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited iPad Pro II and the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States Dollars).
Noel, Ajibola and Ernest were convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment respectively or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, each. In addition, Noel forfeited iPhone 16 Plus, Ajibola forfeited Infinix Hot 40i mobile phone and the sum of $350.00 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars), while Agboeze forfeited an Apple laptop computer, and the sum of $190 (One Hundred and Ninety Dollars).
Ibrahim and Muhammad were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment, respectively or to pay N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, each. Ibrahim forfeited iPhone 12 and the sum of $115 (One Hundred and Fifteen Dollars), while Muhammad forfeited iPhone 16 and the sum of $260. (Two Hundred and Sixty Dollars).
All the forfeitures are to the federal government.
The convicts were arrested in Nassarawa and Niger State following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.
