Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kano, has sentenced 12 individuals to various jail terms for internet fraud, impersonation, money laundering, and possession of criminal proceeds.
The convictions followed prosecutions by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC charges and guilty pleas
The suspects were arraigned on separate one-count charges, including cybercrime, impersonation, retention of criminal proceeds, and money laundering. They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
One of the charges 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… and obtained the sum of $300…”Another charge against Ochuba Chigozie states:
“That you Ochuba Chigozie, sometime in April, 2025… retained the total sum of $200.00… which you knew that such fund forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act…”
Prosecution counsels M. Lawal and M.U. Gadaka urged the court to convict the defendants, while defence lawyers asked for leniency, citing the remorse of the accused persons.
Sentencing and asset forfeiture
Justice Shuaibu sentenced Ochuba Chigozie and Abu David Eleojo to five years imprisonment each or an option of ₦500,000 fine. Chigozie forfeited an Infinix X68IIB phone and $200, while Eleojo forfeited an iPhone 14 Promax and $300.
Michael Yakubu, Udo Promise Jonah, Samuel Odeh, and David Aaron each received five years in prison or ₦400,000 fine. Yakubu forfeited an Oppo A18 phone and $300, Jonah lost a Samsung Galaxy S21 and $200, Odeh forfeited a Redmi 13C and $30, while Aaron forfeited an iPhone II and $400.
Chidi Destiny Chidiebere was sentenced to four years or a ₦400,000 fine. He forfeited an iPad Pro II and $100.
Collins Noel, Ola Ajibola, and Agboeze Chibueke Ernest were each sentenced to two years or ₦400,000 fine. Noel forfeited an iPhone 16 Plus, Ajibola lost an Infinix Hot 40i and $350, while Agboeze forfeited an Apple laptop and $190.
Promise Isah Ibrahim and Abdulsamad Muhammad received three-year sentences each or ₦300,000 fine. Ibrahim forfeited an iPhone 12 and $115, while Muhammad forfeited an iPhone 16 and $260.
All forfeitures were made to the federal government.
Arrests followed credible intelligence
According to the EFCC, the convicts were apprehended in Nasarawa and Niger states following credible intelligence that exposed their involvement in fraudulent online activities.
The agency reiterated its commitment to purging the digital space of criminal elements.
