Cybercrime conviction in Kwara sees 11 Nigerians jailed, assets seized, and millions recovered in EFCC’s intensified war on online fraud.
The growing menace of internet fraud in Nigeria received another sharp blow in Kwara State this week as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully secured the conviction of 11 individuals for various cybercrime offenses.
However, the convictions, described as a significant milestone in the commission’s sustained anti-fraud campaign, ranged from jail terms to community service, alongside the forfeiture of phones, cash, laptops, and other proceeds of crime.
This cybercrime conviction in Kwara has reignited conversations around the digital integrity of Nigerian youth,
the increasing sophistication of online scams, and the firm resolve of the EFCC to combat cyber-related offenses.
The Cases That Shook Ilorin
The Federal High Court in Ilorin, presided over by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, sentenced 20-year-old Mathew Yaba, an electrician, to nine months in prison without the option of a fine.
Yaba was found guilty of impersonating a foreign national named “Raleigh Jredd” with the intent to scam unsuspecting victims online.
Investigations revealed that he had over ₦7.3 million linked to cybercrime activities in his Kuda Bank account.
The court not only sentenced him but also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 13 and a restitution payment of ₦200,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Others Caught in the Cyber Dragnet
The crackdown didn’t end with Yaba. A diverse group of young Nigerians students, traders, and even a music producer were also arrested and prosecuted.
Here’s a breakdown of the convicts and their offenses:
1. Samuel Stephen Ayomide
Offense: Posing as “Melinda Pearce” to defraud a U.S. citizen of $922 via Telegram.
Sentence: 9 months imprisonment.
2. Bamidele Favour Olajide
Offense: Involved in online dating scams.
Sentence: 6 months.
Forfeitures: Phone and $50.
3. Isah Kadir
Offense: Fraudulent activities via fake social media accounts.
Sentence: 300 hours of community service.
Forfeiture: Mobile phone.
4. Samuel Peter Juwon
Offense: Multiple internet fraud transactions traced to three iPhones and a laptop.
Sentence: 12 months imprisonment.
Forfeitures: 3 iPhones, 1 laptop, $500.
5. Stephen Benefit
Offense: Received over ₦1 million through cybercrime.
Sentence: 9 months.
Forfeiture: Entire ₦1 million.
6. Opeyemi Kayode Emmanuel
Offense: Impersonation and financial fraud.
Sentence: 6 months.
Forfeitures: ₦500,000 and a mobile device.
7. Abdulrahim Lasisi
Offense: Online fraud schemes targeting foreigners.
Sentence: 150 hours of community service.
Forfeiture: Samsung Galaxy S9.
8. Ugwuadu Ikechukwu Michael
Offense: Duped victims via email phishing and digital impersonation.
Sentence: 12 months.
Forfeitures: ₦500,000 and electronic devices.
9. Moshood Abduljawad
Offense: Scammed individuals of $190 through fake investment platforms.
Sentence: 6 months.
Forfeiture: $190 and communication gadgets.
10. Abdulrasaq Jubril
Offense: Swindled victims of $290 using social engineering tactics.
Sentence: 6-month suspended sentence.
Forfeiture: $180, with a court order to repay the remaining $110.
The Role of EFCC
Moreover, the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Commander stated that all defendants were apprehended following intelligence-led surveillance, forensic data extraction, and digital trail tracing.
Upon arrest, the suspects confessed to their crimes, some even surrendering voluntarily.
The commission presented overwhelming evidence including financial logs, chat histories, and confessional videos which led to swift convictions.
These convictions, according to the EFCC, reflect a pattern: many of the perpetrators are young men lured by the illusion of easy money through internet fraud.
But as seen in this cybercrime conviction in Kwara, the reality often ends in handcuffs and courtrooms.
A Wake-Up Call to Nigerian Youth
Cybercrime may seem like a fast path to luxury, but the consequences are brutal.
These convictions are more than just names on a judgment list they’re cautionary tales.
From undergraduates to business owners, none were spared when the long arm of the law caught up with them.
The judiciary, in delivering these rulings, reiterated the need to preserve the moral compass of Nigeria’s digital generation.
Justice Awogboro emphasized that the internet must not become a playground for criminal manipulation, but a tool for genuine innovation and global competitiveness.
Legal Implications and Deterrence
With Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 being enforced more strictly, offenders face harsher sentences.
While some received community service, others lost their entire bank balances and tech gadgets.
The judgments send a clear message: cybercrime conviction in Kwara is not isolated it’s part of a broader legal wave moving across Nigeria.
The EFCC’s actions aim to deter would-be fraudsters and cleanse the digital space of criminality.
Digital Literacy and Public Awareness
While law enforcement plays its role, society must also rise to the challenge. There is a pressing need for digital literacy campaigns, especially for young Nigerians.
Understanding the legal boundaries of online behavior is now more crucial than ever.
Parents, schools, and tech mentors must begin to educate the youth about ethical digital practices, cybersecurity awareness, and legal digital entrepreneurship.
Read also:
- Terrorism Convictions in Nigeria Hit 730 Mark Amid Global Scrutiny
- Oil Theft Crackdown Niger Delta: Army Arrests 62, Destroys 14 Illegal Refineries in Sweeping Operation
Be the Change
Let’s build a cyber-responsible Nigeria!
The war against internet fraud cannot be won by EFCC alone. Citizens must remain vigilant.
If you notice suspicious digital activity or get suspicious messages or job offers online, report to the nearest EFCC office or use their anonymous tip portal.
Stay informed with NIGPOST as we continue to track every legal move, arrest, and digital reform shaking Nigeria’s tech space.
The cybercrime conviction in Kwara isn’t just news it’s a bold chapter in Nigeria’s evolving legal and digital history.
As courts uphold justice and EFCC intensifies its campaign, one message rings loud: internet fraud is no longer a safe haven.
Young Nigerians must look inward and explore legal, innovative, and profitable ways to use the internet not for fraud, but for future-building.
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