The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction and sentence of seven
internet fraudsters before Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High
Court, sitting in Kaduna.
The convicts are: Paul Emmanuel Tumba (a.k.a
Cynthia Ebuka), Gabriel Fidelis (a.k.a Diana Siako), Rotji Makwin
Gonchor (a.k.a Sofia Marcelor), Danboyi John (a.k.a Ana
Martins), Agbaje Abbas Olaleken, ( a.k.a Dave Smith Vegas), Solomon
Ameh, (a.k.a Scott Phillips) and Wisdom Mundi Luka (a.k.a Loredana
Calinescu).
They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges
each, bordering on impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents,
obtaining by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime.
The charge against Ameh reads: "That you Solomon
Ameh (a.k.a Scott Phillips), male, sometime in 2025 at Minna, Niger State
within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, falsely presented yourself as
Scott Phillips an investment broker from Miami, Florida USA on Gmail and in
that assumed character gained advantage for yourself the sum of $300.00 (Three
Hundred United States Dollars) only, which you knew to be false and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition,
Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the
same Act.”
The charge against Fidelis reads: "That you,
Gabriel Fidelis (a.k.a Diana Siako), sometime in December, 2024 at Jos
Plateau State, within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court,
fraudulently impersonated one Diana Siako, a female purportedly resident
in Italy on Telegram and Facebook, defrauded Rain Shemesh and other
unsuspecting persons of the sum of N970,000.00 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy
Thousand Naira) only, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015
and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the same Law.”
They all pleaded "guilty" to their
charge when they were read to them, following which prosecution
counsel, Y.J Matiyak and 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 the
defendants have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice R.M Aikawa convicted
and sentenced Tumba to two years imprisonment or to pay
N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
He also forfeited the sum of N300,000.00 (Three
Hundred Thousand Naira) and his Infinix Smart 7 phone to the
federal government, being the proceeds and
tool of his crime, respectively.
He convicted and sentenced Fidelis to five years
imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira
) fine. In addition, he forfeited the sum of
N970,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Seventy Naira) and Infinix Hot
5oi to the federal government being the proceeds and
tool of crime.
Gonchor bagged two years
imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand
Naira) fine. He also forfeited his Samsung Galaxy S9, being
the tool of his crime in favour of the federal government.
John was convicted and sentenced to two
years imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred
Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited the
sum of $450 (Four Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) and
ash-coloured Honda Accord car, being the proceeds of his
crime and iPhone 15 and a HP laptop computer, being
the tools of his crime cybercrime to the federal government.
Justice Aikawa convicted and sentenced
Olalekan to five years imprisonment or to pay
N600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. He also forfeited his
iPhone 14 Pro Max mobile phone, being the tool of his crime to the federal
government
Ameh bagged five years
imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand
Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited his iPhone
16 Plus, an iPad and the sum of $300 (Three Hundred US Dollars),
being tools and proceeds of his crime, respectively to the federal
government, while Luka was convicted and sentenced to five years
imprisonment or to pay N600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand
Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited an iPhone 13
Pro and €220.00 (Two Hundred and Twenty Euros), being the
tool and proceeds of his crime, respectively to the federal government.
The convicts were arrested in Jos, Plateau State
and Niger State respectively, following credible intelligence that
linked them to fraudulent internet activities.
