Court Sentences Eight Individuals for Money Laundering and Internet Fraud in Kaduna

Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has sentenced eight individuals involved in internet fraud to prison. The defendants—Ogar Joseph, Nanbut David Dauda, Abah Mathew Arome, Fasikun Lekan, Daniel John, Gideon Dennis, Friday Emmanuel, and Yusuf Hijelan—were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges related to impersonation, cybercrime, and money laundering.


The charge against Dauda states: "That you, Nanbut David Dauda (a.k.a. Hacktivist Legion), in April 2025 in Tammah, Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Court, retained the total sum of $115.00 (One Hundred and Fifteen United States Dollars), knowing that this amount constituted proceeds from an unlawful act, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act." Similarly, Arome was charged: "That you, Abah Mathew Arome (a.k.a. Where is Hack), in April 2025 in Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Court, retained a total of $140.00 (One Hundred and Forty United States Dollars), knowing that this amount was part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, thus committing an offense contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act." All defendants pleaded "guilty" to their charges.

Following this, prosecution counsel K.S. Ogunlade urged the court to impose appropriate sentences, while defense counsel requested leniency, claiming the fraudsters expressed remorse for their actions. Justice Aikawa sentenced Joseph to two years in prison or a fine of N500,000. Additionally, he forfeited an iPhone 16, used in the commission of his crime, and $30, identified as proceeds from the offense, to the federal government. Dauda, Arome, and Dennis were each sentenced to four years in prison or fined N400,000. Dauda forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S10 and $115; Arome forfeited a Samsung Galaxy X9 Plus and $140; and Dennis forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro, $100, and a Lucky Plus motorcycle, identified as tools and proceeds of their crimes, to the federal government. Lekan received a five-year prison sentence or a fine of N400,000, along with the forfeiture of an iPhone 13 Pro Max and $120, which were deemed instruments and proceeds of his criminal activities. John was sentenced to five years in prison or a fine of N500,000, with a forfeiture of a Samsung Galaxy S21 and $115, classified as tools and proceeds of his offenses. Lastly, Emmanuel was sentenced to two years in prison or fined N300,000, and he forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro, $422, and a Senwei semi-silent power generator as instruments and proceeds of his crimes.