The Federal High Court and State High Court in Kaduna have convicted and sentenced four individuals—Anthony Chukwu, Madaki Ismail, Samson Aliyu, and Christopher Israel—to various jail terms for internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
The EFCC Kaduna Zonal Command prosecuted the defendants on separate one-count charges, including impersonation, obtaining by pretense, and money laundering. The courts ruled that the defendants violated Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017, punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Details of the Charges:
- Anthony Chukwu: Charged with acquiring ₦520,000 from Nelro Balmoria and others through a false identity, which constituted money laundering. Chukwu was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of ₦300,000. Additionally, he forfeited ₦520,000 and $310, as well as an iPhone XR and Samsung S21 to the federal government.
- Madaki Ismail: Charged similarly, Ismail received a five-year sentence or a fine of ₦500,000. He also forfeited the proceeds of his crime, including $310 and electronic devices.
- Samson Aliyu: Presented himself as John Dunwell, a fake investment broker, cheating several individuals including one Lhes, of P2,000.00 Philippine pesos via Instagram. Aliyu was sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 and forfeited $50 along with his mobile phone.
- Christopher Israel: Israel received a three-year sentence or a fine of ₦250,000 and forfeited his phone.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, and the prosecution counsel, Matiyak and Argungu, urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court and Justice Darius Khobo of the State High Court presided over the cases, delivering the sentences and fines.
The arrests were made following credible intelligence on their fraudulent activities, with Chukwu, Aliyu, and Israel apprehended in Kaduna and Ismail in Jos.