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 USD 115 (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 USD 100 (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 his iPhone 14 Pro Max, 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.
