The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of 11 internet fraudsters before Justices Mahmud Abdulgafar and Abimbola Awogboro of the Kwara State High Court and the Federal High Court, respectively.
The convicted fraudsters are: Matthew Stephen Yaba, Samuel Stephen Ayomide, Bamidele Favour Olajide, Isah Kadiri, Abdulrasaq Jubril, Samuel Peter Juwon, Omolaiye Stephen Benefit, Kayode Emmanuel Opeyemi, Abdulrahim Lasisi, Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael, and Moshood Abduljawad.
Their convictions followed separate prosecutions for cybercrime-related offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and internet fraud.
Matthew Stephen Yaba was convicted for retaining N7,384,750 in criminal proceeds in his Kuda Bank account. He was sentenced to nine months in prison without an option of fine. His iPhone 13 and N200,000 were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Samuel Stephen Ayomide, operating under the Telegram handle “CPN Goat”, defrauded one Faith Jackson of $922 in Bitcoin. He received a nine-month jail term without an option of fine and forfeited $535 and an iPhone 16.
Bamidele Favour Olajide was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine. He forfeited an iPhone X, a Samsung A05, and $50.
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Isah Kadiri was handed 300 hours of community service and forfeited his Infinix Hot 10 Light.
Samuel Peter Juwon received 12 months imprisonment without an option of fine and forfeited three iPhones, an HP laptop, and $500.
Omolaiye Stephen Benefit was sentenced to nine months imprisonment. He forfeited his mobile phones and N1 million.
Kayode Emmanuel Opeyemi got six months without an option of fine, forfeiting his phone and N500,000.
Abdulrahim Lasisi was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and forfeited his Samsung S9.
Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael and Moshood Abduljawad received 12 and six months jail terms respectively, without an option of fine. They also forfeited their phones and restituted N500,000 and $190 to their victims.
Abdulrasaq Jubril, the only defendant prosecuted before Justice Abdulgafar, was sentenced to a six-month suspended sentence. He forfeited an iPhone 12 and was ordered to restitute $290.
The prosecution was led by EFCC counsels Aliyu Adebayo, Andrew Akoja, and Omolade Ajibola. Upon their guilty pleas, the prosecution presented evidence, including the defendants’ confessional statements and recovered items, which were admitted by the courts.
Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the convictions in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 23, 2025.
