….Fraudsters ordered to forfeit cash, laptops, and high-end phones to FG
By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction of five individuals for internet-related fraud at the Federal and Kwara State High Courts sitting in Ilorin.
The convicted persons , Ayinla Abiodun Abdulmajid, Yusuf Abdulazeez Onimisi, Muhammed Zayad Eneye, Abdulbasit Abdulmumeen, and Victor Onucheyo Anibe , were arraigned separately on charges of cybercrime by the anti-corruption agency.
According to the EFCC, Ayinla, Yusuf and Muhammed were prosecuted before Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, while Abdulbasit and Victor appeared before Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Haleema Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, respectively.
The charge against Ayinla revealed that between March and May 2025, he impersonated one Michael Cavezza via Google Hangout and defrauded a victim, Kirsty Reid, of $1,003. Yusuf was accused of impersonating “Mikaylah” on Telegram between November and December 2024 to swindle Phillip Lee out of $300.
All five defendants pleaded guilty to the offences. Prosecution counsels Innocent Mbachie, Sesan Ola and Mustapha Kaigama presented supporting evidence, including confessional statements and items seized during arrest.
Justice Awogboro sentenced Ayinla to nine months imprisonment without the option of a fine. He also ordered the forfeiture of $702, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a Redmi phone, and an HP laptop to the Federal Government.
Yusuf received a three-month custodial sentence with no option of a fine. The court further ordered the forfeiture of $300 and a Samsung S31 device recovered from him. Muhammed was sentenced to 400 hours of community service, with his HP laptop also forfeited.
In related judgments, Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulbasit to two years imprisonment or an alternative fine of N400,000. He was also directed to sweep the premises of the State High Court for two months under supervision. The court ordered the forfeiture of $145 and an iPhone 11 to the Federal Government.
Justice Saleeman sentenced Victor to two years imprisonment or a fine of N600,000. He was also ordered to forfeit N4 million as restitution, along with an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a Samsung phone.