Sentences Include Jail Terms and Fines Following Guilt Pleas
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully convicted ten individuals for various internet-related offences, including internet fraud, impersonation, and employment fraud. The crackdown reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in Nigeria.
Details of the Convictions
In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC shared information regarding the convicts, who pleaded guilty to their charges. The names of the individuals convicted are as follows:
– Emmanuel Cyriacus
– Nelson Yustus
– Gabriel Victor Shindu
– Daniel Gambo
– Miracle Bukar
– Mighty Awarri
– Jonathan James
– Mathias Adams
– Sani Safiyanu
– Muazu Shira Mutari
Court Proceedings and Sentences
The convicts were arraigned in various courts, with proceedings occurring on different dates:
– **October 16, 2024**: Shindu, Awarri, Gambo, Bukar, Adams, Yustus, Cyriacus, and James were arraigned before Justices Hammed Isha and Benjamin M. Lawal at the Gombe State High Court in Yola, Adamawa State.
– **October 14, 2024**: Safiyanu faced charges at the Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, while
– **October 8, 2024**: Mutari was arraigned before Justice Muazu Abubakar at the Bauchi State High Court.
Examples of Fraudulent Activities
The charges included various forms of fraud. For instance, Nelson Yustus was found guilty of impersonating a US citizen named Jake from Philadelphia, using a Zangi private messenger application to defraud a foreign national of $150.
Sani Safiyanu was charged for possessing fraudulent documents that falsely claimed individuals had secured employment with several government programs, including the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme and the Nigeria Police Force.
Sentencing Details
The sentences varied among the convicts, with options for fines as follows:
– **Justice Isha** sentenced Shindu, Awarri, Bukar, and Gambo to **10 years imprisonment** or a **fine of N300,000 each**.
– **Justice Lawal** sentenced Yustus, James, and Cyriacus to **10 years** with an **option of a N200,000 fine each**. Adam received **five years** or a **N200,000 fine**.
– **Justice Salisu** sentenced Safiyanu to **five years** or a **N200,000 fine** on count one, and **one year** or a **N50,000 fine** on count two, with sentences running concurrently.
– **Justice Abubakar** convicted Mutari to **two years imprisonment** with an **option of N200,000**.
Conclusion
These convictions highlight the EFCC’s commitment to tackling internet-related crimes and ensuring accountability for those who engage in fraudulent activities. The varying sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences while allowing for some leniency based on the defendants’ expressions of remorse.
