Anebi
Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano, Kano State, has convicted and sentenced 12 individuals for various offences including cybercrime, impersonation, retention of criminal proceeds, and money laundering.
The convicts, Michael Yakubu, Udo Promise Jonah, Promise Isah Ibrahim, Samuel Odeh, Abdulsamad Muhammad, Agboeze Chibueke Ernest, Ochuba Chigozie, Abu David Eleojo, David Aaron, Chidi Destiny Chidiebere, Collins Noel, and Ola Ajibola, were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charges.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Michael Yakubu (a.k.a Beksolk_official), sometime in April 2025 at Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Beksolk_Official (a U.S. citizen) on Instagram and in that guise obtained $300 from unsuspecting victims, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.”
Another charge against Ochuba Chigozie stated that he retained $200 which he knew formed part of proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All defendants pleaded guilty to their charges. Following their plea, EFCC counsels M. Lawal and M.U. Gadaka urged the court to convict them, while the defence pleaded for leniency.
Justice Shuaibu sentenced:
Ochuba Chigozie and Abu Eleojo to five years’ imprisonment each or a fine of N500,000.
Michael Yakubu, Udo Jonah, Samuel Odeh, and David Aaron received five years each or a fine of N400,000.
Chidi Chidiebere was handed four years or a N400,000 fine.
Collins Noel, Ola Ajibola, and Agboeze Ernest were sentenced to two years each or a N400,000 fine.
Promise Ibrahim and Abdulsamad Muhammad received three years each or a N300,000 fine.
In addition, various items used in the commission of the crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government. These include mobile phones (iPhones, Samsung, Infinix, Oppo, Redmi), an Apple laptop, an iPad, and over $2,700 in cash.
The convicts were arrested in Nasarawa and Niger states based on credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent online activities.
Kano court jails 12 for internet fraud, money laundering
