The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate, has arraigned eight individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud before Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The suspects — Timileyin Jude, Kelvin Godwin, Benedict Simon Udoh, Israel Ugwu, Friday Onigbe, Ismaila Jemilu, Salifu Mustapha Achema, and Paul Attah — were docked on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, an offence under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
According to the EFCC, each of the accused allegedly used false identities on social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims, mainly foreign nationals, through impersonation and deceit.
One of the charges, against Kelvin Godwin, reads:
“That you, Kelvin Godwin, sometime in the year 2025 at Karu, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one ‘Bad Ass Kylie’ from America via your iPhone 14 Pro using a fake Telegram account, with the intent to obtain an undue advantage. You benefitted the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) from foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act.”
Similarly, Benedict Simon Udoh is accused of impersonating a Black American military officer using various online platforms including Instagram (Neckter-recovery), email (Wizzytechassit), and Facebook (anededepablo), allegedly to defraud individuals of money.
The charge against Udoh states:
“That you, Benedict Simon Udoh, sometime in 2025 at Karu, Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated a Black military man from the United States of America using multiple social media accounts — including Neckter-recovery on Instagram, Wizzytechassit via email, and anededepablo on Facebook — with intent to obtain money. This act contravenes Section 22 (2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and is punishable under Section 22 (2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”
All eight defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them in court. In response, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, S.N. Robert, prayed the court to proceed with conviction and sentencing in line with their plea.
The matter has been adjourned for sentencing.
Chronicles Reporters will continue to monitor and report developments from the courtroom as the case unfolds.