EFCC Secure Conviction Of Three for Internet Fraud in Kaduna

Justice A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court has convicted and sentenced Saadu Salisu, Omoruyi Osavbie (a.k.a Antonio Hendo Henderson), and Daniel Japheth (a.k.a Cain Steven) to various jail terms for internet fraud. The trio was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges.

While Omoruyi and Japheth faced charges related to impersonation and cheating, Salisu’s charge was based on obtaining by false pretense and cheating. Salisu’s charge detailed how he dishonestly induced Adamu Bakori to part with N300,000.00 under the promise of securing a job, an offense punishable under Section 311 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017. Omoruyi’s charge involved posing as a U.S. military personnel on Facebook to cheat victims out of N87,000.00, violating Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.

Sentencing and Forfeitures

Each defendant pleaded guilty to their respective charges, leading prosecution counsel M. Arumemi and M. Lawal to urge the court for appropriate convictions and sentencing. Justice Bello subsequently sentenced Salisu to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.00, and mandated the forfeiture of N300,000.00 to the federal government.

Japheth received a four-year imprisonment sentence or a fine of N400,000.00, with the forfeiture of £75.00 and an iPhone 11 to the federal government. Omoruyi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.00, alongside the forfeiture of N400,000.00 and an iPhone X Max to the federal government.

Salisu’s path to conviction began when his victim filed a petition with the EFCC, detailing how Salisu convinced him in May 2021 to pay N300,000.00 for a non-existent job placement in Abuja. The conviction and sentencing of these individuals underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to curb internet fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.

Also in another feat EFCC Secure Court Orders For Final Forfeiture of Diverted Funds

Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, ordered the final forfeiture of $16,500 and N127 million fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). These funds are now forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The decision follows an earlier interim forfeiture order issued on May 23, 2024, in response to a motion ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC, represented by its counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, invoked Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14. 2006, and Section 44 (2)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).

EFCC’s Case and Recovery Efforts

The EFCC presented a compelling case, emphasizing the unlawful nature of the funds. Suleiman detailed that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds from illegal activities, specifically the diversion of money from NIMASA’s treasury. The Commission recovered $16,500 in cash and N118 million from Uche Obilor and his associated companies.

During the proceedings, Suleiman highlighted the steps taken following the interim order. “Pursuant to your lordship’s order made on May 23, 2024, the publication of the order was made on June 6, 2024, in Punch newspaper,” he stated. This publication aimed to notify interested parties to present any objections, but none appeared in court to contest the forfeiture.

Court’s Final Ruling

In the affidavit supporting the final forfeiture motion, the EFCC outlined the investigation’s findings. The affidavit stated: “The funds sought to be forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful acts of diversion of funds from the treasury of NIMASA, through Mr. Uche Obilor, his companies and other cronies.” It further noted that Obilor, upon invitation during the investigation, agreed to return N118 million, which his companies had fraudulently converted from NIMASA’s treasury.

With no objections from any interested parties, Justice Ogundare concluded the hearing by granting the EFCC’s request. The judge’s ruling marks a significant victory in the fight against corruption and financial crimes, reinforcing the judiciary’s role in upholding the law and ensuring that illicit gains are returned to the public treasury.