Justice R.M Simawa, of a Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced Seven Internet Fraudsters to Prison in the state.
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission secured the conviction and sentence through its prosecution counsel, Y J Matiyak and M.U Gadaka.
A statement released on the EFCC X handle, on Wednesday revealed that the convicts, Paul Emmanuel Tumba, Gabriel Fidelis, Rotji Makwin Gonchor, Danboyi John, Agbaje Abbas Olaleken, Solomon Ameh, and Wisdom Mundi Luka, were prosecuted on separate one-count charges each bordering on impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, obtaining by false pretence and retention of crime proceeds.
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.”
Meanwhile, they all pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. The Prosecution counsel, however beseech the court
to convict and sentence them, while the defense counsel pleaded mercy for the defendants, stating they are remorseful for their actions.
“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.” The statement reads.
However, the Judge, despite the mercy plea, convicted and sentenced Tumba to two years imprisonment or to pay 500 thousand naira fine. He also forfeited a sum of 300 thousand naira and his Infinix Smart 7 phone to the federal government as proceeds of his crime.
Justice Aikawa also convicted and sentenced Fidelis to five years imprisonment or pay 500 thousand naira fine, he as well forfeited the sum of 970 thousand naira and his Infinix Smart 7 phone to the federal government as proceeds of his crime.
Furthermore, Gonchor and John were sentenced to two years imprisonment each, Olalekan to five years imprisonment or they all pay the sum of 500 thousand naira fine. Some expensive gadgets were also forfeited to the federal government being the tools and proceeds of their crime.
The statement partly read, “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.
