In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured convictions against five internet fraudsters.
Justices R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court and D.H. Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court delivered separate rulings this week, concluding months of legal proceedings.
Among those sentenced were Henry Kyasi Yohanna (alias Alessandra Bondani), Samson Adeoye Iyangbe (alias Trans Anna Bella), Bashir Kashim (alias Hannah Barron), Merenini Ekene, and Yakubu Musa.
All five faced charges including impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining money through deception.
During the trials, prosecutors K.S. Ogunlade, F.A.I. Asemebo, and M. Lawa demonstrated how the defendants manipulated victims online.
Evidence revealed that their schemes involved fake identities and fabricated documents, which allowed them to siphon funds.
They primarily targeted unsuspecting individuals in 2023 and earlier, exploiting vulnerabilities for financial gain.
In one ruling, Justice Aikawa sentenced Yohanna to five years’ imprisonment or a ₦600,000 fine. Additionally, Yohanna forfeited a Redmi 13c phone and a Dell laptop.
Similarly, Iyangbe received a five-year term or a ₦600,000 penalty, losing a Redmi 13c phone and a Gionee phone.
Meanwhile, Kashim forfeited $500, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung A14.
He also faced an identical prison option or a ₦600,000 fine.
Furthermore, Ekene confronted five years in prison or a ₦200,000 fine, surrendering his Techno Smart 4 device.
In a separate case, Yakubu Musa confessed to defrauding Thalmon Friday of ₦3 million under false pretenses.
Consequently, Justice Khobo ordered Musa to repay the amount and serve one year in jail or pay a ₦500,000 fine.
This ruling emphasized the importance of restitution alongside punishment.
Ekene faced five years or a ₦200,000 fine, surrendering his Techno Smart 4 device.
In a separate case, Yakubu Musa confessed to defrauding victim Thalmon Friday of ₦3 million under false pretenses.
Justice Khobo ordered Musa to repay the amount and serve one year in jail or pay a ₦500,000 fine, emphasizing restitution alongside punishment.
These convictions highlight the EFCC’s intensified efforts to curb Nigeria’s escalating cybercrime rates. The agency has ramped up investigations, leveraging legal frameworks to dismantle fraud networks and recover illicit gains.
As part of its ongoing mission, the EFCC urges citizens to safeguard personal data and report suspicious online activity promptly. The rulings underscore the judiciary’s resolve to uphold accountability, signaling a tougher stance against digital fraud.
By prioritizing transparency and public awareness, authorities aim to disrupt criminal ecosystems while empowering communities to resist exploitation.
For now, the sentences serve as both a deterrent and a reminder: cybercrime carries severe consequences in Nigeria’s evolving legal landscape.
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