Ilorin — Eleven individuals have been convicted and sentenced by two courts sitting in Ilorin, State of Harmony (Kwara), for offences relating to internet fraud, impersonation, and illegal possession of criminal proceeds.
The convictions were secured by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justices Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court and Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court.
The convicted persons are: Mathew Stephen Yaba, Samuel Stephen Ayomide, Bamidele Favour Olajide, Isah Kadir, Abdulrasaq Jubril, Samuel Peter Juwon, Omolaiye Stephen Benefit, Kayode Emmanuel Opeyemi, Abdulrahim Lasisi, Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael, and Moshood Abduljawad.
According to the EFCC, all the accused pleaded guilty to separate charges brought against them. The offences included impersonation, fraudulent representation, unlawful retention of crime proceeds, and cyber-related fraud.
One of the charges against Mathew Stephen Yaba read: “That you, Matthew Stephen Yaba, sometime between the year 2022 and 2025, within the judicial division of the Federal High Court, was found to have retained the control of the gross sum of N7,384,750.00… which you knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct…”
Similarly, Samuel Stephen Ayomide was charged for defrauding a victim via Telegram. The charge reads: “That you, Samuel Stephen Ayomide, sometime in 2025… sent electronic messages on your Telegram Account; CPN Goat… under which reliance one Faith Jackson was caused to suffer loss of $922…”
The EFCC’s prosecution team, comprising Aliyu Adebayo, Andrew Akoja, and Omolade Ajibola, presented evidence, including confessional statements and materials recovered from the convicts.
Justice Awogboro handed down the following sentences:
Mathew Yaba: Nine months imprisonment without the option of a fine; forfeited an iPhone 13 and N200,000 to the federal government.
Samuel Ayomide: Nine months imprisonment; forfeited $535 and an iPhone 16.
Bamidele Olajide: Six months imprisonment; forfeited an iPhone X, Samsung A05, and $50.
Isah Kadir: 300 hours of community service; forfeited an Infinix Hot 10 Light.
Samuel Juwon: Twelve months imprisonment; forfeited three phones, a laptop, and $500.
Omolaiye Benefit: Nine months imprisonment; forfeited mobile phones and N1 million.
Kayode Opeyemi: Six months imprisonment; forfeited a phone and N500,000.
Abdulrahim Lasisi: 150 hours of community service; forfeited a Samsung S9.
Ugwuadu Michael & Moshood Abduljawad: Sentenced to twelve and six months imprisonment, respectively; ordered to pay restitution of N500,000 and $190 to their victims and forfeit their phones.
Justice Abdulgafar, who presided over the case involving Abdulrasaq Jubril, imposed a six-month suspended sentence and directed him to refund $290 to his victim and surrender an iPhone 12.
All forfeited items and funds were directed to be handed over to the federal government.
The EFCC reiterated its warning against cybercrime and urged the public to resist the lure of illicit online activity.
