Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has handed down prison sentences to two individuals, Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey and Yahaya Mustapha, for engaging in internet fraud and online impersonation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Command, arraigned the suspects on separate charges involving identity theft, online fraud, and money laundering.
According to the EFCC, Godfrey, who also went by the alias Dixon Kelvin, created a fake Facebook profile in 2025 while in Bida, Niger State.
By assuming this false identity, he was able to deceive and obtain N191,580 from unsuspecting individuals.
His actions violated Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and were punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same law.
Mustapha, using the pseudonym Mike Benjamin, pretended to be a U.S. citizen and scammed victims on Facebook in April 2025.
He illegally obtained $100 through this fraudulent persona, also in violation of the Cybercrimes Act.
Both men pleaded guilty to the charges. While the prosecution requested conviction and sentencing, their defence lawyers asked for leniency, noting their clients’ remorse.
Justice Aikawa sentenced Godfrey to two years imprisonment or a N500,000 fine. Additionally, he must surrender N191,580 and the iPhone used in the crime to the government.
Mustapha received a five-year jail term or an alternative fine of N300,000. He was also ordered to return the $100 he fraudulently obtained, forfeit his iPhone 14 Pro, and make restitution to his victim.
Their arrest followed a tip-off that exposed their cyber fraud schemes in Bida, Niger State.
