Seven Internet Fraudsters Forfeit Hotel, N230Million, Others To Nigerian Govt In Makurdi
Justice M.S. Abubakar issued the forfeiture order after sentencing the fraudsters on separate one-count charges, including criminal impersonation, money laundering, cybercrime, and obtaining by false pretences.
AFederal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the forfeiture of N232.4 million, a hotel, and $4,977 to the Nigerian Government after convicting seven internet fraudsters.
Justice M.S. Abubakar issued the forfeiture order after sentencing the fraudsters on separate one-count charges, including criminal impersonation, money laundering, cybercrime, and obtaining by false pretences.
The charges were brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The convicted individuals, prosecuted by the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate are Tamaraudeinyefa Shedrack Brakekebebe, Godday Conference Brakekebebe, Terhemba Josiah Asagh, Nyiter Avalumun Elijah, Ahmed Alabi Akindele, Kennedy Torbem Ayanger, and Hwande Aondooungwa James.
Court records show that Brakekebebe retained over N167 million in illicit funds across two bank accounts, while Asagh defrauded unsuspecting foreigners of $300,000 through a fake Facebook identity, using the proceeds to build Century Crip Inn Hotel in Gboko.
The convictions were secured under the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022 and the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015.
However, they all pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the review of their cases by prosecuting counsel M.Yusuf, A.S.Idris, A.Gazali K.T.Sunday and Imadifon Igbinidu, who urged the court afterwards to convict and sentence them accordingly.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the verdicts in a statement.
Justice Abubakar, after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense counsel, convicted and sentenced Tamaraudeinyefa Brakekebebe to one year in prison or an alternative fine of N500,000.
However, he forfeited N102,750,246 found in his Zenith Bank Account (No: 2650121856) and N64,762,169 to the federal government.
Godday Brakekebebe received a three-year prison sentence or the option of a N500,000 fine. He also forfeited N56,633,246 from his Zenith Bank Account (No: 4068151050) and N200,929 from his Access Bank Account (No: 1462517972) to the federal government.
Asagh was sentenced to one year in prison or a N1.5 million fine. He forfeited his Century Crip Inn Hotel, located at No. 41 Adekaa Yaji Street, Gboko North LGA, Benue State, along with a Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic (Chassis No: WDDHFBQAA121814, Registration No: ABJ 367 CY) to the federal government.
Elijah was sentenced to one year in prison or a N500,000 fine. Additionally, he must repay N10 million to his victim through the EFCC Recovery Account and forfeit a Mercedes-Benz GLE (Chassis No: 4J6D5H876A44065, Registration No: ABJ 797 AL) to the federal government.
Akindele was sentenced to two years in prison or an alternative fine of N100,000. He must also restitute N1,645,000 to his victim.
Ayanger was sentenced to one year in prison or a N100,000 fine and must repay N500,000 to his victim.
James received a three-year sentence or a N500,000 fine. He forfeited N8,050,124 from his Zenith Bank Account (No: 4256815018) and $4,977 in his wallet account to the federal government.
Their arrests followed an operation by the EFCC’s Special Task Force (STF) of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate, acting on credible intelligence about their involvement in fraudulent activities.
