Justice I. A Isiaka of the State High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Al-Mustapha Isah Gupa and Qareeb Adekunle Yusuf, following the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecution.
According to EFCC, the duo were prosecuted on a separate one-count charge, bordering on cheating and impersonation.
The charge against Yusuf reads “That you Qareeb Adekunle Yusuf (a.k.a Teddy Swims) (M), between January and April 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, cheated several unsuspecting victims of the total sum of $200.00USD (Two Hundred US Dollars) when you falsely presented yourself as Teddy Swims, on Facebook (an online social media application), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law”.
While the charge against Gupa also reads: “That you, Al-Mustapha Isah Gupa (a.k.a Ritchie Inman) on or about the 20th of April, 2024 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Ritchie Inman (a white man) via Facebook platform and in such assumed character, cheated unsuspecting members of the public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 and punishable under the same law.”
They pleaded “guilty” to their charge when it was read to them.
The prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka and M. Arumemi 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 Isiaka sentenced Yusuf to three years imprisonment or to pay a N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited $200.000 (Two Hundred US dollars) as well as the iPhone 11 Pro Max, being the tool of his crime to the federal government.
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Gupa also bagged three years imprisonment or to pay a N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine. In addition to his jail term, he forfeited the iPhone 15 Pro Max, being the tool of his crime to the federal government.
Gupa was arrested at Bafra Hotel, while Yusuf was picked up at the Command Junction area, all in the Kaduna metropolis.
