Six convicted for internet fraud in Kaduna

Justices Darius Khobo and A.A. Isiaka of The Kaduna State High Court and Hawau Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, have convicted and sentenced six individuals for internet fraud.

The convicts, Abubakar Shettima (a.k.a Dennis Hueber), Timileyin Akinsola (a.k.a James Smith), Favour Onoja (a.k.a Dean Leon), Naphtali Bako (a.k.a Benjah), Suleiman Ibrahim (a.k.a Rico_Mod2), and Festus Gabriel (a.k.a Sandra Will), faced various jail terms for cheating and impersonation.

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the six convicts on separate one-count charges.

Timileyin Akinsola was charged with impersonating an American citizen, James Smith, on Instagram between January and May 2024, and cheating Larry Fletcher of $125. Akinsola’s offence contravened Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, and was punishable under Section 309.

Naphtali Bako faced charges for impersonating an American musician named Benjah on Facebook in April 2024, and cheating Alois Whitfield of N60,000.

Bako’s offence also violated Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, and was punishable under Section 309.

All the convicts pleaded guilty to their charges. Prosecution counsels Kehinde Ogunalde, Musa Usman Gadaka, and Kehinde Ogunlade urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Khobo sentenced Shettima to three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000, and Akinsola to five years imprisonment or a fine of N450,000.

Justice Isiaka sentenced Onoja to five years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000, and Bako to seven years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000.

Justice Buhari sentenced Ibrahim to 14 years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000, and Gabriel to four years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.

Additionally, the convicts forfeited their communication gadgets, used in their crimes, to the Federal Government.

The sentences came after their arrests for internet-related offences, leading to their court trials and subsequent convictions.