Two Internet fraudsters sentenced in Ilorin, as BDC operator gets community service

The Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced two internet fraudsters to six months imprisonment, with the option of a fine of N150, 000 each. In a related development, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin sentenced Yakubu Aminu to 200 hours of community service for operating a Bureau De Change business without a valid license.

The trio appeared before the courts on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, after being arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges.

According to the charge sheet, Yakubu Aminu was accused of carrying on financial activities, specifically Bureau De Change operations, at Chikanda Market, Yashikira District, Baruten Local Council, Kwara State, in July 2024, without a valid licence issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This offence violates Section 15 (5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 and is punishable under Section 57 (5) (B) of the same Act.

In the case of Akeem Ibrahim Salaudeen, he was chargedwith having N4,069,000 in his United Bank for Africa (UBA) account, which he knew to be the proceeds of criminal activities. His actions contravene Section 319 (a) of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when presented before the court, according to a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC.

Following their pleas, the court convicted and sentenced the defendants, relying on the unchallenged evidence presented by the prosecution. Justice Awogboro sentenced YakubuAminu to 200 hours of community service without the option of a fine.

Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of N368,500 and 50,000 CFA, which were recovered from him at the time of his arrest, to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, Justice Gegele sentenced Akeem Ibrahim Salaudeen and Abdullahi (full name not provided) to six months imprisonment each, with an option of a N150,000 fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the N4,069,000 recovered from Akeem’s bank account and iPhone 11. Abdullahi’s iPhone 11 Pro Max and the $600 proceeds of their crimes were similarly forfeited to the Federal Government.