KADUNA COURT JAILS TWO INTERNET FRAUDSTERS
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By: Motunrayo Aniwura
Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has sentenced two internet fraudsters, Samuel Ezekiel Godfrey and Yahaya Mustapha, to two and five years in prison respectively, with the option of paying fines.
Godfrey, who operated under the alias Dixon Kelvin, was handed a two-year sentence or a fine of N500,000, while Mustapha received a five-year term or a fine of N300,000.
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed separate one-count charges against them for criminal impersonation, cybercrime, and money laundering.
Godfrey was convicted for using a fake Facebook identity to fraudulently obtain N191,580 in Bida, Niger State. His actions violated Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Mustapha, who used the alias “Mike Benjamin” and claimed to be an American citizen, scammed victims out of \$100 via Facebook in April 2025, also breaching the same law.
Both men pleaded guilty. The prosecution counsel, M.U. Gadaka, urged the court to convict and sentence them, while their defense lawyers requested leniency, citing remorse.
In addition to their prison terms, Justice Aikawa ordered Godfrey to forfeit the N191,580 and the iPhone used in the crime to the Federal Government. Mustapha was also directed to surrender his iPhone 14 Pro and repay the \$100 to his victim.
The EFCC stated that both individuals were arrested in Bida following credible intelligence and reiterated its warning to the public against cybercrime, urging caution in online dealings.
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