A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms. Justice M.S. Abubakar, who presided over the case, also ordered the forfeiture of assets worth over N232 million, a hotel, luxury cars, and $4,977 to the federal government.
The convictions followed a series of separate one-count charges bordering on criminal impersonation, money laundering, cybercrime, and obtaining money by false pretense, which were filed against the suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Directorate.
The convicts were identified as Tamaraudeinyefa Shedrack Brakekebebe, Godday Conference Brakekebebe, Terhemba Josiah Asagh, Nyiter Avalumun Elijah, Ahmed Alabi Akindele, Kennedy Torbem Ayanger, and Hwande Aondooungwa James.
Tamaraudeinyefa Shedrack Brakekebebe, aged 24, was convicted for retaining N64,762,169.00 in his Access Bank account and N102,750,246.00 in his Zenith Bank account, proceeds that were linked to cybercrime activities. The court sentenced him to one year imprisonment or an alternative fine of N500,000. In addition, the total sum of N167,512,415 in both accounts was forfeited to the federal government.
Godday Conference Brakekebebe was found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment or an alternative fine of N500,000. The court also ordered the forfeiture of N56,633,246 found in his Zenith Bank account and N200,929 from his Access Bank account to the federal government.
Terhemba Josiah Asagh, aged 27, was convicted for defrauding foreign victims using a fake identity as an Asian soldier working for the United Nations in the United States. Through this deception, he tricked unsuspecting individuals into losing a total sum of $300,000. The fraudulently obtained funds were deposited in his Kuda Bank account and used to build a hotel in Gboko, Benue State. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment or an alternative fine of N1.5 million. His hotel, Century Crip Inn, located at No. 41 Adekaa Yaji Street, Gboko North LGA, Benue State, and registered as Plot 5352 in Gboko Land Registry, was forfeited to the federal government. Additionally, he forfeited a Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic with Chassis No: WDDHFBQAA121814 and Registration No: ABJ 367 CY.
Nyiter Avalumun Elijah was sentenced to one year imprisonment or an alternative fine of N500,000. The court also ruled that he must restitute N10 million to his victim through the EFCC Recovery Account and forfeit a Mercedes-Benz GLE with Chassis No: 4J6D5H876A44065 and Registration No: ABJ 797 AL to the federal government.
Ahmed Alabi Akindele was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment or an alternative fine of N100,000. Additionally, he was ordered to restitute N1,645,000 to his victim.
Kennedy Torbem Ayanger was sentenced to one year imprisonment or an alternative fine of N100,000. He was also mandated to restitute N500,000 to his victim.
Hwande Aondooungwa James was sentenced to three years imprisonment or an alternative fine of N500,000. The court ordered the forfeiture of N8,050,124 found in his Zenith Bank account and $4,977 in his wallet account to the federal government.
The convicts were arrested following intelligence gathered by the Special Task Force (STF) of the EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Directorate. The operatives tracked them to their hideouts and uncovered their fraudulent schemes, which included romance scams, investment fraud, and identity theft.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on cybercrime and ensuring that fraudsters are brought to justice. The agency also warned individuals against engaging in internet-related financial crimes, emphasizing that its monitoring and investigative efforts are being intensified across Nigeria.