Four individuals—Anthony Chukwu, Madaki Ismail, Samson Aliyu, and Christopher Israel—have been sentenced to various prison terms by the Federal High Court and State High Court in Kaduna for engaging in internet fraud.
This is contained in a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday.
The EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Command prosecuted the four on separate one-count charges related to impersonation, obtaining money by false pretense, and money laundering.
The courts found that the defendants violated Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017, which is punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Anthony Chukwu, also known as Carmelita Luna, was charged with acquiring N520,000 from Nelro Balmoria and other individuals using a false identity in December 2023. This was found to be an offense under Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Chukwu’s charge reads, “That you, Anthony Chukwu (a.k.a Carmelita Luna), sometime in December 2023, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly acquired the sum of N520,000.00 from Nelro Balmoria and other unsuspecting persons through false identity, which you knew that the said funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and you thereby committed money laundering, an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition)2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
That of Aliyu reads, “That you Samson Aliyu (a.k.a John Dunwell), between January and May 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence, by falsely presenting yourself as John Dunwell, a white man and an investment broker with AZ Finance Investment Company. In that assumed character cheated several persons including one Lhes, the total sum of P2,000.00 Philippines pesos via Instagram and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same law.”
Samson Aliyu, under the alias John Dunwell, posed as a white investment broker with AZ Finance Investment Company between January and May 2024. He defrauded several individuals, including one person named Lhes, out of P2,000.00 Philippine pesos via Instagram. His actions were in violation of Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 309.
Upon pleading guilty, the prosecution counsel urged the courts to convict and sentence the defendants. Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Court sentenced Chukwu to five years in prison or a fine of N300,000, and Ismail to five years in prison or a fine of N500,000. Both also forfeited N520,000 and $310, respectively, as well as their mobile phones, to the federal government.
Justice Darius Khobo of the State High Court sentenced Aliyu to three years in prison or a fine of N200,000, and Israel to three years in prison or a fine of N250,000. Aliyu also forfeited $50 and his mobile phone to the federal government.
The EFCC reported that Chukwu, Aliyu, and Israel were apprehended in Kaduna, while Ismail was arrested in Jos, based on credible intelligence regarding their fraudulent online activities.
