Eric Patrick
Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in 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.
The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement shared on its Facebook page on Tuesday night.
According to the statement, they were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kaduna Zonal Directorate on separate one-count charge, bordering on cybercrime, impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
The statement added that, the convicts were arrested in Nassarawa and Niger State following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.
The count charge read, “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.”
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 fine, each. In addition, Chigozie forfeited an Infinix X68IIB mobile phone and the sum of $200, while Abu forfeited iPhone 14 Promax and the sum of $300.
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Aaron, Yakubu, Jonah and Odeh were sentenced to five years imprisonment each or to pay N400,000.00 fine, respectively. In addition, Aaron forfeited iPhone II and the sum of $400, Yakubu forfeited Oppo A18 mobile phone and the sum of $300.00, Jonah forfeited Samsung Galaxy S21 and the sum of $200.00, while Odeh forfeited Redmi 13C mobile phone and the sum of $30.
Chidiebere was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 fine.
In addition, he forfeited iPad Pro II and the sum of $100.
Noel, Ajibola and Ernest were convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment respectively or to pay N400,000.00 fine, each. In addition, Noel forfeited iPhone 16 Plus, Ajibola forfeited Infinix Hot 40i mobile phone and the sum of $350.00, while Agboeze forfeited an Apple laptop computer, and the sum of $190.
Ibrahim and Muhammad were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment, respectively or to pay N300,000.00 fine, each. Ibrahim forfeited iPhone 12 and the sum of $115 while Muhammad forfeited iPhone 16 and the sum of $260.
The Commission noted that all the forfeitures are to the federal government.
