By Miriam Humbe
Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced one Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey and Yahaya Mustapha to jail for fraud.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.
The duo was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC on separate one-count charge, bordering on criminal impersonation, cybercrime and money laundering.
The charge against Godfrey reads: “That you Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey (a.k.a Dixon Kelvin), (m) sometime in 2025 in Bida, Niger State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely presented yourself as Dixon Kelvin on Facebook (an online social media application) and in that assumed character gained advantage for yourself the total sum of N191, 580,00 (One Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Etc Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
That of Mustapha reads: “That you Yahaya Mustapha (a.k.a Mike Benjamin) sometime in April, 2025 in Minna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Mike Benjamin (a United States of America citizen) on Facebook (a social media platform) and in such assumed character you benefitted the sum of $100 (One Hundred USD) from unsuspecting victims and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Etc Act, 2015, and punishable under Sub-section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the Act.”
They pleaded “guilty” to their charge when it was read to them, following which prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Aikawa convicted and sentenced Godfrey to two years imprisonment or to pay N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
In addition, he is to forfeit the sum of N191, 580,00 (One Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Naira), being the proceeds of crime and an iPhone, being the tool of his crime to the federal government.
Mustapha was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment or to pay N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
In addition, he is to forfeit his iPhone 14 Pro, being the tool of his crime to the federal government and restitute his victim with $100 (One Hundred USD) being the proceeds of his crime.
The convicts were arrested in Bida LGA of Niger State, following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.
