The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five individuals for cybercrime-related offences before both the Federal and Kwara State High Courts sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The convicted fraudsters are Ayinla Abiodun Abdulmajid, Yusuf Abdulazeez Onimisi, Muhammed Zayad Eneye, Abdulbasit Abdulmumeen, and Victor Onucheyo Anibe.
They were arraigned on separate charges by the EFCC for offences ranging from identity theft to online scams aimed at defrauding unsuspecting victims.
According to the EFCC, Ayinla, Yusuf, and Muhammed were tried before Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, while Abdulbasit and Victor faced trial before Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Haleema Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, respectively.
Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
Prosecuting counsels Innocent Mbachie, Sesan Ola, and Mustapha Kaigama presented evidence including confessional statements and items recovered during arrest. The courts found the cases credible and delivered judgment accordingly.
Sentences and Forfeitures:
Ayinla Abiodun Abdulmajid, who impersonated a U.S. citizen named Michael Cavezza to defraud one Kirsty Reid of $1,003 via Google Hangouts, was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment without an option of fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of $702, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a Redmi phone, and an HP laptop to the Federal Government.
Yusuf Abdulazeez Onimisi, who posed as "Mikaylah" to defraud a U.S. victim of $300 through Telegram, received 3 months imprisonment without an option of fine. His Samsung S31 phone and the $300 proceeds were forfeited to the government.
Muhammed Zayad Eneye was sentenced to 400 hours of community service without an option of fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his HP laptop used in committing the crime.
Abdulbasit Abdulmumeen was given a two-year jail term with an option of N400,000 fine. He was also ordered to sweep the premises of the Kwara State High Court for two months under the supervision of the Nigeria Correctional Service. Additionally, he forfeited $145 and an iPhone 11.
Victor Onucheyo Anibe was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of N600,000 fine. The court ordered the forfeiture of N4 million already restituted, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone to the Federal Government.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to tackling internet fraud and ensuring that those who engage in cybercrime are brought to justice.
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