The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained the conviction and sentencing of 13 individuals for internet-related fraud before Justices A. Isiaka, A.A. Bello and M.J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court.
The convicted persons are Emmanuel Abelo Mike, Joseph David, Obinna Christopher, Godwin Felix, John Opayemi Olusegun, Benjamin Yusuf, Richard Kazzah, Meshack Yohanna, Joseph Philip, Kelly Ebiare, Moses Kizito Kyangma, Danjuma Micah and Jethro Umaru.
They were arraigned on separate one-count charges involving impersonation, cheating and obtaining money by false pretence.
One of the charges stated that John Opayemi Olusegun, also known as Denzel Washington, in June 2025, posed as the Hollywood actor and deceived Jacob Mayers into transferring $200, contrary to Sections 308 and 309 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
Another case detailed that Jethro Umaru, alias Thomas Crew, in December 2024, pretended on Facebook to be a United States military officer and defrauded unsuspecting persons of $521, also in breach of the same law.
All 13 defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Prosecution counsels M. Arumemi, M. Lawal and M.U. Gadaka subsequently requested the courts to convict and sentence them.
Justice Bello sentenced David, Mike and Christopher to three years in prison each, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine, and ordered the forfeiture of their phones — an Oppo A83, Infield 7plus and Samsung S8, respectively — to the Federal Government. Felix received two years’ imprisonment or a ₦150,000 fine and forfeited his Samsung Galaxy device.
Olusegun was handed a five-year jail term or a ₦400,000 fine, with his iPhone 14 Pro and the $200 proceeds of the crime confiscated.
Justice Zubairu sentenced Yusuf, Kazzah, Yohanna, Kyangma and Micah to two years’ imprisonment each or a ₦200,000 fine. Their mobile devices, including Samsung, Oppo and iPhone models, were forfeited. Philip and Ebiare each received five years in prison or a ₦300,000 fine, alongside the forfeiture of their phones.
Justice Isiaka sentenced Umaru to two years in prison or a ₦200,000 fine, ordering the forfeiture of his iPhone 16 and the $521 he fraudulently obtained.
The EFCC confirmed that the convicts were apprehended in Kafanchan, Buzong and Unguwan Maigero in Kaduna State following intelligence that exposed their fraudulent activities.
