Two men, Abubakar Suleiman and Lawal Farauq, were convicted by the Federal High Court in Ilorin for cybercrime and operating an unlicensed Bureau De Change

Two men, Abubakar Suleiman and Lawal Farauq, have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, for operating a Bureau De Change business without a valid licence and for cybercrime-related offences.

Also read: EFCC secures conviction of 30 internet fraudsters in Ibadan

Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered the sentences on Tuesday after the two men separately pleaded guilty to the charges filed against them by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge against Suleiman stated that, in May 2024, he had been operating a Bureau De Change business without a valid licence issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Chikanda Market, Yashikira District, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State. This act violated the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

Farauq, on the other hand, was charged with cybercrime for impersonating a person named Johanna Smith in September 2023. Through this fraudulent act, Farauq obtained 70 USD from one Mark Dewitt. His actions were in violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act, 2015.

Both men pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. During the trial, the EFCC prosecutors, Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja, presented evidence, including extra-judicial statements and recovered monetary exhibits, to support the case.

Following the guilty pleas, Justice Awogboro convicted both men. Suleiman was sentenced to 300 hours of community service, to be carried out at five hours per day, and he was ordered to report to the court with a discharge certificate upon completion.

The court also ordered the final forfeiture of CFA 3,360,000, N220,000, and N71,000 in counterfeit Naira notes to the government.

Farauq, meanwhile, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service at five hours per day. The court also directed the forfeiture of an iPhone 6s Plus, which he had used in committing the fraud, along with the $70 he fraudulently obtained.

Both men were arrested by EFCC operatives for their involvement in internet fraud and were subsequently charged and convicted in court. This case serves as a reminder of the EFCC’s continued efforts to combat fraud and illegal activities within the financial and cybercrime sectors.

Omereonye Solomon Chigozie, aka Kolor Cabiek Ye, faces charges for internet fraud involving $1,500 in a case before a Uyo court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned Omereonye Solomon Chigozie, also known as Kolor Cabiek Ye, for alleged internet fraud amounting to $1,500.

Chigozie was presented before Justice Maurine A. Oyetenu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, facing two counts of impersonation, possession of fictitious messages, and obtaining money under false pretences.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, issued a statement on Monday detailing the charges against Chigozie, which stemmed from activities between 2019 and 2024.

The defendant is accused of fraudulently impersonating Kolor Cabiek Ye on a Facebook account, using the fictitious identity to gain a financial advantage.

This is in direct violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) (Amendment) Act 2024, as outlined in Section 22 (2)(b) (i) of the Act.

One of the charges stated that Chigozie had presented himself as Kolor Cabiek Ye with the intent to defraud individuals and unlawfully obtain property.

In addition, the second count claims that he took possession of $1,500 while impersonating a foreigner, with full knowledge that the money was the result of an illicit act.

This also violates the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, specifically Section 18 (2)(d) and Section 18(3) of the Act.

Chigozie denied the charges when he appeared in court. In light of his plea, prosecution counsel Enobong Ubokudom urged the court to set a date for trial and request his remand in a Correctional Centre.

Defence counsel, Ikwere Davies, did not oppose the request. Consequently, Justice Oyetenu adjourned the case to May 22, 2025, for trial and ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Uyo.

According to the EFCC, Chigozie was arrested on October 3, 2024, following credible intelligence regarding his suspicious online activities. Investigations revealed that he had been impersonating foreigners to deceive victims across the globe, further cementing the allegations against him.

Nine suspects have been arrested in Gombe State for armed robbery and other crimes. Police recover stolen phones, ATM cards, and cash

The Gombe State Police Command has apprehended nine suspects linked to a series of criminal activities, including thuggery, armed robbery, and criminal conspiracy.

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The arrest, confirmed on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, comes as part of the state police’s ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain law and order.

Among the nine suspects, three individuals—Mohammad Ahmad, Abdullahi Adamu, and Yau Adamu—are accused of orchestrating a violent armed robbery in the Federal Low-Cost Quarters of Gombe Local Government Area (LGA).

Armed with a sharp knife, the trio allegedly targeted two residents and made off with valuables, including two smartphones, ATM cards, and a cash sum.

The stolen items comprised a Redmi Android phone valued at ₦150,000, a Tecno Android phone worth ₦100,000, three ATM cards, and ₦3,000 in cash.

Following the robbery, Gombe State Police launched an investigation, which led to the swift arrest of the suspects. In a breakthrough during the interrogation, the three suspects admitted to their involvement in the crime. Law enforcement officials were able to successfully recover all stolen items.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to preserving peace and security in the state.

He also urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, in a bid to further curb the rising crime rates.