Internet fraudster bags jail term in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Nuhu Zakari, before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Zakari, who was arraigned on a one-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and internet fraud, was accused of acting as a middle man, who sourced foreign bank accounts for other internet fraudsters.

The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the amended charge.

The prosecuting counsel, G.C. Akaogu, informed the court that the defendant approached the EFCC seeking a plea bargain, which necessitated the amended charges.

While giving a review of the facts, Akaogu told the court that the defendant was arrested sometime in January, following an operation conducted by EFCC operatives on intelligence reports on the activities of suspected internet fraudsters around the Ajah area of Lagos State.

The lawyer disclosed that Zakari was arrested with others and brought to the office of the anti-graft agency for further interrogation and investigation.

He further told the court that the defendant, upon interrogation, confessed to “acting as an intermediary between two fraudsters, in which he collects bank details of foreign banks” from one party to another.

Akaogu said upon the defendant’s arrest, an iPhone 7, a Huawei phone, and an HP laptop were recovered from him and forensically analysed.

The prosecution counsel also told the court that fraudulent documents were printed out from the WhatsApp conversation on his phone.

He, thereafter, tendered in evidence the items recovered from him along with his statement, which were admitted as exhibits against him.

He urged the court to adopt the plea bargain agreement between both parties.

The defendant, however, admitted the facts against him and pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

The presiding judge, Justice Solebo, who found the defendant guilty as charged, sentenced him to six months at a custodial facility.

The judge also ordered all the items recovered from him to be forfeited to the Federal Government, adding that Zakari must enter into a bond with the EFCC never to engage in such an act again upon his release from prison.

The Star