Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High
Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and
sentenced one Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey and Yahaya
Mustapha to jail for fraud.
The duo was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal
Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC on separate
one-count charge, bordering on criminal impersonation, cybercrime
and money laundering.
The charge against Godfrey reads: "That you
Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey (a.k.a Dixon Kelvin), (m) sometime in 2025 in Bida,
Niger State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely presented
yourself as Dixon Kelvin on Facebook (an online social media application) and
in that assumed character gained advantage for yourself the total sum of N191,
580,00 (One Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty
Naira) and 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.”
That of Mustapha reads: "That you Yahaya Mustapha
(a.k.a Mike Benjamin) sometime in April, 2025 in Minna, within the jurisdiction
of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Mike Benjamin (a United
States of America citizen) on Facebook ( a social media platform) and
in such assumed character you benefitted the sum of $100 (One 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 Sub-section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the Act.”
They pleaded "guilty" to their charge
when it was read to them, following which prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka
prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the
defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with
mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Aikawa convicted and sentenced Godfrey to two
years imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand
Naira) fine. In addition, he is to forfeit the sum of N191,
580,00 (One Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira),
being the proceeds of crime and an iPhone, being the tool of his crime to
the federal government.
Mustapha was convicted and sentenced
to five years imprisonment or to pay
N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition he
is to forfeit his iPhone 14 Pro, being the tool of his crime to the
federal government and restitute his victim with $100 (One
Hundred USD) being the proceeds of his crime.
The convicts were arrested in Bida LGA of
Niger State, following credible intelligence that exposed
their fraudulent internet activities.
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