A Federal High Court in Kano has convicted and sentenced 29 internet fraudsters to various prison terms following their prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges ranging from cybercrime to money laundering.
Presiding over the court, Justice S.M. Shuaibu handed down the sentences after all 29 defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
The Defendants and Their Charges
The convicted fraudsters include Prosper Godfrey, Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu, Bolodeoku Daniel, Nduka Samuel Uche, Isaac Omeiza, Obasi Solomon Chimerie, ThankGod Adeniyi, Obasi Joshua Mmaduabuchi, Emmanuel Eyo, Dominion Elejo Jeremiah, John Godswill Amedu, Daniel Olusegun Ajibola, Abdulwaris Animasahun, and Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim.
Additional defendants sentenced were Omojuyigbe Ifeoluwa Simon, Jeremiah Odey, Joseph Gideon, Achor Joseph, Bala Meshack, Bawa Abubakar, David Ajibola Damilola, Tijani Tobi Emmanuel, Abdulquadri Animasahun, Arinze Daniel Nwachukwu, Arinze Orajiuka, James Peter Ayemoba, Hassan Abraham Adamu, Moses Friday, and Bernard Joseph Imalegwu.
Each defendant faced a separate one-count charge, except for Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim, who was charged on two counts. The offences encompassed impersonation, cybercrime, retention of proceeds of crime, and money laundering.
Specific Criminal Activities
The court heard detailed charges against the defendants, revealing the scope of their fraudulent activities. Prosper Godfrey was charged with fraudulent impersonation, having operated under the alias “Goodlife001” via a fake Facebook account in April 2025 in Nassarawa State. The charge stated that he used this false identity “with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals.”
Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu faced charges related to money laundering, specifically for retaining $500 in March 2025 in Nassarawa State, “which you knew formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.” His case highlighted the money laundering aspects of internet fraud schemes.
The charges were brought under various sections of Nigeria’s cybercrime and money laundering legislation, including the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Act of 2015 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
When the charges were read in court, all 29 defendants entered guilty pleas. Prosecution counsel M.U. Gadaka and M. Lawal subsequently requested the court to convict and sentence the defendants according to the law. Defence counsel, representing the accused, pleaded with the court for leniency, stating that their clients had become “remorseful for their actions.”
Justice Shuaibu proceeded to hand down various sentences, offering defendants the option of imprisonment or substantial fines, while also ordering the forfeiture of devices and proceeds from their criminal activities.
Sentencing Details and Asset Forfeiture
The sentences varied based on the severity of each case and the amounts involved. Several defendants received significant prison terms with alternative fine options:
Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu received a four-year imprisonment sentence or the option to pay a N500,000 fine. Additionally, the court ordered him to forfeit a Samsung Galaxy A34 5G mobile phone and $500 to the federal government.
Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment or a N250,000 fine. He was required to forfeit an iPhone 12 Pro Max, $100, and N500,000 to the federal government.
Omojuyigbe Ifeoluwa Simon received the longest potential sentence of five years’ imprisonment or a N400,000 fine. His forfeitures included an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a motorcycle, and $320.
Jeremiah Odey was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment or a N300,000 fine, with forfeitures including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, two Airtel routers, and £140.
Bolodeoku Daniel received a two-year sentence or N400,000 fine, forfeiting an iPhone 14 Pro Max, $115, and N500,000.
Group Sentencing Patterns
Several defendants received identical sentences, suggesting similar levels of criminal activity. Joseph Gideon, Achor Joseph, and Bala Meshack each received four-year sentences or N400,000 fines. Their forfeitures included various iPhone models and amounts ranging from $65 to $100.
Another group comprising Bawa Abubakar, Abdulquadri Animasahun, David Ajibola Damilola, and Tijani Tobi Emmanuel received five-year sentences or N400,000 fines each. Abubakar forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro and Redmi 13C along with $200, while others forfeited various devices and smaller amounts.
A separate group, including Arinze Daniel Nwachukwu, Abdulwaris Animasahun, Arinze Orajiuka, and James Peter Ayemoba, received two-year sentences or N500,000 fines each. Their forfeitures included high-end devices like iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, along with various cash amounts.
Four defendants received the maximum five-year sentences or N500,000 fines: Prosper Godfrey, Bernard Joseph Imalegwu, Moses Friday, and Hassan Abraham Adamu. Godfrey was required to forfeit multiple devices, including a Redmi 13C, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Tecno BD4H, plus $70. Friday forfeited an iPhone 11 Pro and HP laptop computers.
Significant Asset Recovery
The final group of nine defendants, including Daniel Olusegun Ajibola, John Godswill Amedu, Dominion Elejo Jeremiah, Emmanuel Eyo, Obasi Joshua Mmaduabuchi, ThankGod Adeniyi, Obasi Solomon Chimerie, Isaac Omeiza, and Nduka Samuel Uche, received five-year sentences or N300,000 fines each.
Their forfeitures included various smartphones and cash amounts, with Ajibola forfeiting $300, representing one of the larger individual amounts recovered.
Implications for Cybercrime Prevention
The mass conviction represents a significant enforcement action by the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate against internet fraud operations in northern Nigeria. The comprehensive nature of the prosecutions, covering both the cybercrime activities and the money laundering aspects of the schemes, demonstrates the commission’s holistic approach to combating online fraud.
The substantial asset forfeitures, including numerous high-end smartphones and cash in both local and foreign currencies, highlight the profitable nature of these criminal enterprises and the importance of asset recovery in deterring future offences.
The fact that all defendants pleaded guilty suggests evidence gathering by the EFCC investigators and may indicate a recognition among cybercriminals of the increasing effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
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