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The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said about 10 fraudsters have been jailed for crime related issues such as has secured the conviction and sentencing of 10 fraudsters involved in crimes related Internet fraud, impersonation, and employment fraud.
A statement on the EFCC’s website on Friday, listed the convicts, which include; Emmanuel Cyriacus, Nelson Yustus, Gabriel Victor Shindu, Daniel Gambo, Miracle Bukar, Mighty Awarri, Jonathan James, Mathias Adams, Sani Safiyanu, and Muazu Shira.
Shindu, Awarri, Gambo, Bukar, Adams, Yustus, Cyriacus, and James were arraigned on October 16, 2024, before Justices Hammed Isha and Benjamin Lawal of the Gombe State High Court, sitting in Yola, Adamawa State.
Safiyanu was arraigned on October 14, 2024, on offences bothering on internet fraud and possession of fraudulent documents before Justice Mushkur Salisu of the Federal High Court, Jalingo, Taraba State.
Muazu Shira was arraigned for intent to defraud on October 8, 2024, before Justice Muazu Abubakar of the Bauchi State High Court, Bauchi.
Yustus was convicted for impersonating one “Jake” from Philadelphia, USA, to defraud a foreign national, Art–huff, of a sum of $150.
Safiyanu was convicted for possessing fake appointment letters, which he intended to distribute to unsuspecting people under the false pretense that they were offered employment by the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Upon arraignment, all the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Saad H. Saad, to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as the individuals expressed remorse for their actions.
Justice Isha convicted and sentenced Shindu, Awari, Bukar, and Gambo to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000 each.
In his judgment, Justice Lawal convicted and sentenced Yustus, James, and Cyriacus to 10 years imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine each.
Justice Salisu convicted and sentenced Safiyanu to six years imprisonment or a N250,000 fine, while Adams was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
Justice Abubakar convicted and sentenced Muazu Shira to two years imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine.
