Justices R.M. Aikawa and Hauwa'u
Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna have convicted and sentenced the trio
of AbdulFatai Ismail Alade (a.k.a hismaheel asiwaju), Audu Ishida and
Elisha Smith for fraud.
They were prosecuted
by Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation
and money laundering. While Justice Aikawa sealed Alade’s
fate, Ishida and Smith were convicted and sentenced by
Justice Buhari.
Alade’s charge
reads: “That you,Abdulfatahi Ismaeel
Alade(a.k.a Hismaheel Asiwaju) sometime between 2023 and
2024, at Minna, Niger State within the jurisdiction of this
honorable court, retained the total sum of $95.00 (Ninety five
Dollars) when you knew 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.”
That
of Smith reads: “That you Elisha Smith (m), sometime in
May, 2024 in Jos South, Plateau State, within the
jurisdiction of this honorable court, retained the total sum of
N808,234.02(Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand Two Hundred And Thirty Four Naira
Two Kobo) only in your account no.9030090284 domiciled in Palmpay
Bank Ltd with account name: Elisha Smith Anzaina 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 when they were read to
them, prompting prosecution counsel, M.E Eimonye and M. Lawal to
urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Aikawa convicted
and sentenced Alade to five years imprisonment or to pay a
fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). In addition, he
forfeited an iPhone 11 Pro mobile phone with IMEI No:353248109724490
to the federal government, while Justice Buhari convicted and
sentenced Smith to four years imprisonment or to a pay of fine
of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and Ishida to two years
imprisonment or to pay a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred
Thousand Naira). In addition, Smith and Ishida forfeited one
Samsung Galaxy S10e mobile phone with IMEI 35603232102690016 and one Oppo F1s
with IMEI No: 862784037953334 respectively to the federal government.
Comments:
Leave a Reply