Nine internet fraudsters sentenced to jail terms in Kaduna

Stanley Ihedigbo

Justices A. A Bello, A.Isiaka, and Murtala .J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna, have convicted and sentenced nine to various jail terms.

According to the Head, Media, and Publicity, Economics Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, the convicts are: Yaya Babatunde (a.k.a Kay Lenea), Sule Onyegefu Isaac, Alaba Peter (a.k.a Mane Julia), Obedient Charles (a.k.a Paul Cravey), Isaac Henry, Muhammad Adam Muhammed (a.k.a Hannah Alesia Boltz), Richie Olagunju Bolaji Waris (a.k.a Gina Mclaurin), John Nanyak Peter Haruna (a.k.a Anna Moon) and Frank Phillip Praise (Brown Jamal).

They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the commission, on separate one-count charges that border on impersonation, cheating, and internet fraud.

The charge against Haruna reads: “That you, John Nanyak Peter Haruna, (a.k.a Anna Moon) (M), sometime in 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely presented yourself as Anna Moon; a female living in Saudi Arabia, on Snapchat (an online social media application) and in that assumed character cheated one Max of the total sum of $200.00USD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

Praise’s charges read: “That you Frank Philip Praise (a.k.a Brown Jamal) sometime in May 2024 at Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of the Kaduna State High Court, falsely presented yourself Brown Jamal; a military personnel residing in the United States of America, on Facebook (an online social application) and in that assumed character cheated one George Williams of the sum of USD 400.00 and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.”

They all pleaded guilty to the count charges, prompting the prosecuting counsel, M.E Eimonye, Y.J Matiyak, M.Lawal, Fortune A.I. Asemebo, and K.Ogunlade to pray the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Haruna was sentenced to three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00. In addition, he forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro Max and the sum of $200.00.

Praise was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N600,000.00. In addition, he forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro Max and a Mercedes Benz car as well as the sum of $400:00.

Waris was sentenced to three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N600,000.00. He also forfeited an iPhone.

Muhammad was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00. He also forfeited an iPhone 12 Pro and the sum of $50.

Henry was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000. 00. In addition, he forfeited the sum of $25.00 and Samsung S20 Plus.

Charles was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00. In addition, he forfeited an iPhone 7 Plus and the sum of N200,000.00.

Babatunde was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00.

In addition, he forfeited an iPhone 11 Pro and restitute the sum of $200 to his victim.

Peter was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00. In addition, he forfeited three phones, an iPhone 16, an iPhone 6 Plus, a Samsung Note 20, and a gold earring.

He is also to restitute the sum of $1,200 to his victim.

Isaac was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00. In addition, he forfeited an Infinix Note 20 phone.

The convicts were arrested following credible intelligence at various locations in the Kamazo, Karji, and Gonin Gora axis of Kaduna State.