Eight Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Kaduna for Money Laundering and Cybercrime
posted 22nd May 2025
Eight Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Kaduna for Money Laundering and Cybercrime
Kaduna, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Kaduna has sentenced eight individuals to prison for their involvement in internet fraud and money laundering, as announced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday.
Justice R.M. Aikawa convicted Ogar Joseph, Nanbut David Dauda, Abah Mathew Arome, Fasikun Lekan, Daniel John, Gideon Dennis, Friday Emmanuel, and Yusuf Hijelan on separate one-count charges related to impersonation, cybercrime, and money laundering. The convictions followed prosecutions by the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate.
The charges highlighted the retention of illicit funds, with Dauda accused of retaining $115 (£90) and Arome $140 (£110) in April 2025, knowing these sums were proceeds of unlawful activities. Both offences contravened Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
All eight defendants pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel K.S. Ogunlade urged the court to convict and sentence them, while the defence sought leniency, citing the defendants’ remorse. Justice Aikawa handed down sentences ranging from two to five years’ imprisonment, with options to pay fines between N300,000 (£150) and N500,000 (£250).
In addition to prison terms or fines, the convicts forfeited various assets, including smartphones (iPhone 16, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S10, S21, and X9 Plus), sums of money ranging from $30 (£24) to $422 (£330), a motorcycle, and a power generator, all deemed instruments or proceeds of their crimes.
