In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Federal High Court and State High Court in Kaduna have convicted and sentenced four individuals for their involvement in internet fraud.
The four convicts, Anthony Chukwu, Madaki Ismail, Samson Aliyu, and Christopher Israel, were found guilty of offenses ranging from impersonation and obtaining by deception to money laundering.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the defendants were prosecuted on separate one-count charges. Chukwu was convicted of money laundering, having directly acquired 520,000 naira through false identity. Aliyu, on the other hand, was found guilty of falsely presenting himself as an investment broker and swindling victims in the Philippines.
The presiding judges handed down various jail terms to the defendants. Chukwu and Ismail were sentenced to five years in prison or fines of 300,000 naira and 500,000 naira, respectively. Aliyu and Israel received three-year sentences or fines of 200,000 naira and 250,000 naira.
In addition to the custodial sentences and fines, the courts also ordered the forfeiture of proceeds from the fraudulent activities, including cash, mobile phones, and other electronic devices used in the commission of the crimes.
The EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command, which spearheaded the investigations, stated that the convicts were arrested in Kaduna and Jos based on credible intelligence gathered on their illicit internet activities.
This latest crackdown underscores the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian authorities to combat the menace of cybercrime and protect innocent victims from the clutches of internet fraudsters.
