Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High
Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced
eight internet fraudsters to jail.
The convicts, Ogar Joseph, Nanbut David
Dauda, Abah Mathew Arome, Fasikun Lekan, Daniel John, Gideon Dennis, Friday
Emmanuel and Yusuf Hijelan were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal
Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a
separate one-count charge, bordering
on impersonation, cybercrime and money laundering.
The charge against Dauda reads: "That you Nanbut
David Dauda, (a.k.a Hacktivist Legion) sometime in April, 2025 in Tammah,
Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained
the total sum of $115.00 (One Hundred and Fifteen 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.”
The charge against Arome reads: "That you, Abah
Mathew Arome (a.ka. Where is Hack) (m) sometime in April, 2025 in
Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained
the total sum of $140.00 (One Hundred and Forty 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 pleaded "guilty" to their charge
when they were read to them upon which prosecution counsel, K.S
Ogunlade prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while
the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper
justice with mercy, stating that the fraudsters have
become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Aikawa sentenced Joseph to two years
imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira)
fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 16, being the
tool of his crime and the sum of $30 dollars, being the proceeds of his
crime to the federal government.
He convicted and sentenced Dauda, Arome and Denis
to four years imprisonment, each or to pay N400,000. (Four
Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively. In addition, Dauda
forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S10 and the sum of $115 USD (One Hundred
and Fifteen United States Dollars) while Arome forfeited a Samsung Galaxy
X9 Plus and the sum of $140.00 (One Hundred and Forty United
States Dollars); Denis forfeited iPhone 14 Pro, the sum of $100
USD (One Hundred USD) and one Lucky Plus motorcycle with engine number
152FMH*1544839*, being the instruments and proceeds of the crimes to the
federal government.
Lekan was convicted and sentenced to five years
imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira)
fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 13 Pro Max and the
sum of $120 (One Hundred and Twenty United States Dollars), being the
instrument and proceeds of the crimes, respectively to the federal government.
John was convicted and sentenced to five
years imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred
Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited a Samsung
Galaxy S21 and the sum of $115(One Hundred and Fifteen United States Dollars),
being the instrument and proceeds of the crimes, respectively to the federal
government.
Emmanuel was convicted and sentenced to two
years imprisonment or to pay N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand
Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 14 Pro and the sum
of $422 dollars (Four Hundred and Twenty-two Dollars) and one Senwei
semi-silent power generating set, being the instrument and proceeds
of the crimes, respectively to the federal government.
Hijelan was convicted and sentenced to three
years imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred
Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 14
Pro Max, being the tool of his crime to the federal government.
The convicts were arrested in Nasarawa State following
credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet
activities.
