Twenty-nine individuals have been convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court sitting in the Centre of Commerce (Kano) for internet-related offences, following their prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court presided over by Justice S.M. Shuaibu, delivered the judgment after the accused persons pleaded guilty to separate charges filed by the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Command. The convictions were secured for offences ranging from impersonation and cybercrimes to unlawful retention of criminal proceeds and money laundering.
The EFCC, in a post on its official Facebook page on Friday, disclosed that each of the convicts was charged individually, except Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim, who faced a two-count charge.
One of the charges, as read in court, stated: “That you, Prosper Godfrey (a.k.a Goodlife001), sometime in April 2025 in Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one ‘Goodlife001’ via a fake Facebook account with the intent to obtain financial benefit from unsuspecting foreign nationals, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 22 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.”
Another charge, against Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu, alleged that he retained the sum of $500, knowing it formed part of proceeds from an unlawful act, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Following their pleas, the prosecuting counsels, M.U. Gadaka and M. Lawal urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defence lawyers, on their part, appealed for leniency, citing remorse and first-time offence as grounds for mitigation.
In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu imposed various sentences ranging from two to five years’ imprisonment. Most of the convicts were, however, given the option of fines between N250,000 and N500,000. In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of mobile phones, laptops, routers, motorcycles, and cash in naira, dollars, and pounds — all linked to the offences — to the Federal Government.
Among the convicts were:
Prosper Godfrey, was sentenced to five years or a N500,000 fine, forfeiting a Redmi 13C, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Tecno BD4H, and $70.
Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu was sentenced to four years or N500,000, with the forfeiture of a Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and $500.
Omojuyigbe Ifeoluwa Simon, received five years or N400,000, forfeiting an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a motorcycle, and $320.
Jeremiah Odey was sentenced to two years or N300,000, with an iPhone 13 Pro Max, two Airtel routers, and £140 forfeited.
Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim was sentenced to four years or N250,000 and forfeited an iPhone 12 Pro Max, $100, and N500,000.
Other convicts include Bolodeoku Daniel, Nduka Samuel Uche, Isaac Omeiza, Obasi Solomon Chiemerie, ThankGod Adeniyi, Obasi Joshua Mmaduabuchi, Emmanuel Eyo, Dominion Elejo Jeremiah, John Godswill Amedu, and Daniel Olusegun Ajibola, among others.
Items forfeited to the government included several models of iPhones, Samsung Galaxy devices, Infinix, Itel, and Tecno phones, laptops, and routers, as well as sums of money in both local and foreign currencies.
“The convicts were prosecuted on a one-count charge each, except Ejim who faced a two-count charge. All the charges bordered on impersonation, cybercrime, retention of criminal proceeds, and money laundering,” the EFCC stated on its Facebook page.
The anti-graft agency reaffirmed its resolve to continue pursuing cybercrime suspects across all zones of the country.
