By Nkechi Eze
Seven individuals have been convicted and sentenced for various fraud-related offences by Justices A. Isiaka, Darius Khobo, and M.J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, following successful prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate.
The convicts Caleb Ibrahim Hamman, Miracle Nuhu Tukurah, Jeremiah John, Emmanuel Edward, Anryu Akindarju Mamza, Emmanuel Yashima Mana, and Adebayo Olarotimi Akanbi were arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, impersonation, and forgery. They were all found guilty and sentenced accordingly.
According to a statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the cases were prosecuted before different judges: Justice Isiaka presided over the trials of Hamman, Tukurah, Mamza, and Mana; Justice Khobo tried John; while Edward and Akanbi were prosecuted before Justice Zubairu.
One of the charges, brought against Emmanuel Edward, read: “That you, Emmanuel Edward (a.k.a Yoo), sometime in June 2025 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, falsely presented yourself as Yoo (a Chinese) via ‘Wechat App’ (an online social media application) and in that assumed character benefitted the total sum of 1000 Chinese Yuan…”
Another charge against Mamza stated: “That you, Anaryu Akidarju Mamza on 9th January 2024 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, presented yourself as a staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to one Farouq Ahmad Umar at his residence… and thereby committed an offence…”
All seven defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsels M. Lawal, M.U. Gadaka, K.S. Ogunlade, M.E. Eimonye, M.O. Arumemi, and M.J. Argungu to urge the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Isiaka sentenced Caleb Hamman to two years imprisonment with an option of ₦200,000 fine and ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 7 to the federal government. Miracle Nuhu Tukurah was sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦300,000 and forfeited his Tecno Spark mobile phone. Anryu Akindarju Mamza received three years or a ₦500,000 fine. Emmanuel Mana got three years imprisonment or ₦150,000 fine and forfeited his Samsung Galaxy A12.
Justice Khobo sentenced Jeremiah John to five years imprisonment with an option of ₦400,000 fine. He also ordered the forfeiture of his Samsung Galaxy S10e and ₦10,000, the naira equivalent of P550 to the federal government as proceeds of crime.
Justice Zubairu sentenced Emmanuel Edward to two years imprisonment or ₦150,000 fine and directed the restitution of 1000 Chinese Yuan to his victim. He also forfeited his Techno GO mobile phone. Adebayo Olarotimi Akanbi was sentenced to three years imprisonment or ₦200,000 fine and forfeited his Blue Oppo A15 phone.
According to the EFCC, Hamman, Tukurah, Mana, Akanbi, John, and Edward were arrested in Kafanchan LGA and Buzong area of Kaduna State following credible intelligence that exposed their cybercrime operations. Mamza, who impersonated an EFCC operative and executed a fake search with a forged warrant, was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and subsequently handed over to the EFCC.
