Court Jails Six Internet Fraudsters in Kwara, Three in Kaduna
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of nine individuals for internet-related fraud across Kwara and Kaduna States.
The cases, handled by the EFCC’s Ilorin and Kaduna Zonal Directorates, saw Justices in both states hand out various sentences, including prison terms, fines, and the forfeiture of assets to the Federal Government.
Kwara Convictions
On Monday, October 14, 2024, the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin sentenced six individuals for impersonation and internet fraud. The convicted persons were identified as Idris Muhammed, Ismail Temitope Mustapha, Oyekola Odunayo, Anthony Sylvester Stephen, Timilehin Adeniyi, and Olayiwola Ayomide Abdulmalik.
The presiding Justices, Sulaiman Akanbi and Adebayo Yusuf, sentenced the defendants after they pleaded guilty to their charges. Justice Akanbi handled the cases of Muhammed, Mustapha, Odunayo, and Stephen, while Adeniyi and Abdulmalik were sentenced by Justice Yusuf.
One of the charges read in court detailed how Idris Muhammed, under the alias “Dorothy Palmer,” deceived an American victim into sending him $600 via CashApp. Prosecuting counsel Andrew Akoja presented the illicit proceeds, iPhones, and other items recovered from the defendants as evidence.
Following their guilty pleas, the court sentenced Idris to two years imprisonment, with an option of a ₦100,000 fine. He was also ordered to forfeit an iPhone 13 and $300 in restitution to the government. Ismail, who impersonated “Myre Roddy” to defraud another victim of $500 in gift cards, was sentenced to one year in prison with a ₦100,000 fine and forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro Max and part of the stolen sum.
Odunayo, facing multiple charges, received one year on the first count, two years on the second, and two weeks of community service on the third, with varying fines totaling ₦350,000. Similarly, Anthony was sentenced to one year in prison, with a ₦50,000 fine, and forfeiture of his iPhone 12 and $25 to the government.
Justice Yusuf sentenced Adeniyi and Abdulmalik to six months imprisonment each, with an option of ₦200,000 fines. Both convicts forfeited their phones and other recovered sums to the government.
Also Read: Court Sentences 39 Internet Fraudsters in Oyo State
Kaduna Convictions
In a similar operation, the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate secured the convictions of Owoyale Shuaib (alias Mary Lisa Goklool), Oluwafemi Moses Oluwatosin (alias Douglas Chiater), and Wisdom Sambo Sammy (alias Prudent Jameson) for impersonation and fraud.
The three fraudsters were prosecuted before Justices Hawaa Buhari and R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna. According to court documents, Shuaib impersonated “Mary Lisa Goklool” on Facebook and tricked a Spanish national into sending him $20. Sammy also used Facebook to defraud another victim under the alias “Prudent Jameson.”
All three convicts pleaded guilty, prompting the EFCC counsel, M.J. Argungu, to request their sentencing. Justice Buhari sentenced Shuaib and Oluwatosin to four and two years imprisonment respectively, with the option of ₦500,000 fines. Justice Aikawa sentenced Sammy to five years imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine. Their phones were also forfeited to the Federal Government.
