The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has successfully prosecuted five individuals involved in cybercrime, securing their convictions through two different courts in Kwara State.
The convicts, Ayinla Abdulmajid, Yusuf Onimisi, Muhammed Eneye, Abdulbasit Abdulmumeen, and Victor Anibe, faced various charges relating to online fraud and impersonation.
While Ayinla, Yusuf, and Muhammed were prosecuted before Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Abdulbasit and Victor were tried before Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Haleema Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, respectively.
According to the EFCC, Ayinla Abdulmajid assumed the identity of one Michael Cavezza on Google Hangouts between March and May 2025 and tricked a victim, Kirsty Reid, into sending him $1,003. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of $702, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a Redmi phone, and an HP laptop to the government.
In a related case, Yusuf Onimisi, who operated under the alias Mikaylah, impersonated Mulan Tuition on Telegram between November and December 2024 and defrauded Phillip Lee of $300.
He received a three-month jail term with no option of a fine.
Justice Sulaiman Akanbi handed Abdulbasit Abdulmumeen a two-year sentence, giving him the option to pay a ₦400,000 fine.
Additionally, he is to perform two months of community service by sweeping the Kwara State High Court premises under the supervision of a probation officer. He must also forfeit $145 and an iPhone 11.
In a separate judgment, Justice Haleema Saleeman sentenced Victor Anibe to two years imprisonment, also with the option of a ₦600,000 fine.
He was ordered to pay ₦4 million in restitution and surrender his iPhone 16 Pro Max and a Samsung device to the Federal Government.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to ridding the country of internet-related fraud and bringing offenders to justice.