The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of five individuals involved in internet fraud in separate cases before Justices R.M. Aikawa and D.H. Khobo.
READ ALSO: Naira Abuse: EFCC secures 31 convictions in Kano
Daily News 24 reports that this was confirmed in a statement posted on the EFCC’s X account. The convicted fraudsters include Henry Kyasi Yohanna (aka Alessandra Bondani), Samson Adeoye Iyangbe (aka Trans Anna Bella), Bashir Kashim (aka Hannah Barron), Merenini Ekene, and Yakubu Musa. Yohanna, Iyangbe, Kashim, and Ekene were prosecuted before Justice Aikawa, while Musa faced charges before Justice Khobo. They were convicted on various counts, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and retention of proceeds from fraud.
Yohanna, in particular, was charged with impersonating a white woman named Alessandra Bondani on social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram, where he fraudulently obtained $200 from his victim in 2023. Similarly, Iyangbe and Kashim were involved in fraudulent activities, although with lesser amounts, leading to their convictions.
Ekene received a five-year sentence or a fine of N200,000, while Yohanna, Iyangbe, and Kashim were sentenced to five years or a fine of N600,000 each. Yohanna was also ordered to forfeit $200, a Redmi 13c phone, and a Dell laptop, while Kashim had to forfeit $500 and two mobile phones.
Musa, who was charged with defrauding his victim, Thalmon Friday, of N3 million in 2014, was sentenced to one year in prison or a N500,000 fine. Musa had promised to sell land in the Mahuta area of Kaduna State, but after receiving the money, he failed to deliver the land or return the funds. Justice Khobo also ordered him to restitute the N3 million to his victim.
