● Danladi Usman
Justice Hauwa’u Bubari of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced two individuals, Audu Ishida and Elisha Smith, to a combined six years imprisonment for internet fraud. Both men were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Directorate on charges of impersonation, retention of proceeds of fraud, and money laundering. The court handed down its ruling after both defendants pleaded guilty.
Elisha Smith was charged with retaining N808,234.02 in his Palmpay Bank account, which he knew were proceeds of an unlawful act. EFCC counsel, M.E. Eimonye, confirmed that Smith’s activities had been traced back to fraudulent transactions. “Smith knowingly held on to funds that were part of a fraudulent operation, and this conviction underscores the importance of accountability in financial transactions,” Eimonye stated.
Similarly, Audu Ishida, who operated under the alias Baddie Kylemili, was charged with retaining $50 U.S. dollars from his victim, money linked to illegal activities. The charge sheet indicated that Ishida’s actions violated sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. “Cybercrime is a serious issue that affects people globally, and such cases must be addressed with urgency,” noted EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, commenting on the significance of the conviction.
During the hearing, both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting Eimonye to request swift sentencing. “The evidence against them is overwhelming, and their guilty pleas validate the charges brought by the EFCC,” Eimonye added. The court proceeded with the sentencing phase immediately after the plea.
Justice Hauwa’u Bubari sentenced Elisha Smith to four years imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of N500,000. In delivering her judgment, she emphasized the need to deter individuals from engaging in internet fraud. “This sentence is intended to send a message that fraudulent activities, particularly those involving financial crimes, will not be tolerated,” Bubari remarked.
Audu Ishida was sentenced to two years imprisonment, or the alternative of paying a fine of N400,000. The judge noted that while the amount involved in Ishida’s case was smaller, the consequences of internet fraud on victims justified the punishment. “No amount of money is too small when it comes to fraud; the victims often suffer far beyond the financial loss,” remarked legal analyst Barrister Musa Iliyasu, commenting on the broader implications of the judgment.
In addition to their sentences, both convicts were ordered to forfeit the mobile phones used in the fraudulent activities—specifically, a Samsung Galaxy S10e and one Oppo F1s. These devices were found to be instrumental in their schemes.
Both Ishida and Smith were arrested in Jos, Plateau State, following an intelligence report linking them to internet fraud schemes. According to Uwujaren, “The EFCC will continue its relentless efforts to track down and prosecute individuals involved in cybercrime.”
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to clamping down on internet fraud and cybercrime, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. “Our mission is to protect innocent citizens from being preyed upon by criminals who use the internet as a tool for fraud,” Uwujaren concluded. GMTNewsng
