EFCC Secures Conviction for Internet Fraud in Kaduna

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured convictions for four individuals involved in internet fraud. Justice Hauwa’u Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna, delivered the verdicts against Daspan Eric Domshak (a.k.a Batshon Abe), David Awu Tanko (a.k.a Sara Khongs), Emmanuel Caesar Yakubu (a.k.a Jessica Simeon), and Tobi Segun Kazeem. These convictions followed separate one-count charges related to impersonation, cheating, and money laundering, prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC.

The charges detail how the convicts used social media platforms to impersonate others and defraud their victims. Domshak, for instance, was charged with presenting himself as Batshon Abe on Facebook between October and November 2023, obtaining $250 from unsuspecting victims. Kazeem, on the other hand, retained $150 from proceeds of unlawful activities in June 2024. The court’s decisions reflect the gravity of their offenses under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Sentences and Forfeitures

Justice Bello’s sentencing highlights the consequences of cybercrime and money laundering. David Awu Tanko received a two-year prison sentence or the option to pay a fine of N700,000. Tobi Segun Kazeem and Emmanuel Caesar Yakubu were each sentenced to four years imprisonment or fines of N900,000 and N450,000 respectively. Daspan Eric Domshak was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000. In addition to their sentences, the convicts’ phones, which were used in committing the crimes, were forfeited to the federal government.

The convictions were the result of diligent investigative work by the EFCC, following reports of the convicts’ fraudulent activities in Jos, Plateau State. The successful prosecution and sentencing serve as a warning to others involved in cybercrimes, demonstrating the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes and upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system. The forfeiture of the criminals’ tools further underscores the commission’s efforts to deprive fraudsters of the means to perpetrate their schemes.

EFCC Secures Another Conviction of Two in Onitsha Over N39.5m Fraud

Justice Victoria Nwoye of the Anambra State High Court, sitting in Onitsha, has convicted and sentenced Ikechukwu Obiekwe and Ugo Chukwudi to prison for fraud. The two were prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge, which included conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, stealing, and retention of proceeds of crime amounting to N39,528,530 (Thirty-nine million, Five Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira).

The charges detailed the defendants’ criminal activities between 2016 and 2018. Count two specifically accused Ikechukwu Obiekwe of fraudulently converting N18,145,530 (Eighteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-five thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Naira) belonging to Rainbow Hair International Company Limited. Count three implicated Ugo Chukwudi in transferring N5,399,000 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand Naira) to an account at Stanbic IBTC Bank, knowing it was part of the proceeds of crime.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

During the trial, the prosecution, represented by Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, presented six witnesses and provided several documents as evidence. Justice Nwoye, in her judgment on July 9, 2024, determined that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, both men were sentenced to one year imprisonment each without the option of a fine. Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of N39,528,530, the proceeds of their crime, to their victim.

The case began on May 19, 2019, when the victim, through a petition to the EFCC, alleged that Obiekwe, his apprentice, had diverted the said amount from the company’s sales account. Obiekwe denied the allegations and absconded. EFCC’s investigation revealed that he had used Chukwudi to transfer the stolen funds to various accounts. The convicts were subsequently arraigned in December 2019, leading to their eventual conviction and sentencing.