Shallipopi, others sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for internet fraud

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of celebrity, Crown Uzama, and five others before Justice A.A Isiaka on separate one count charge bordering on criminal impersonation.

The offences are contrary to Sections 142 (1), 57 and 308 of the Kaduna Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.

Uzama, along with Joel Kator (aka Alfred Hudson), AbdulAzeez Suleiman Temidayo (aka Miss Katie Official), Favour Chidiogo Emmanuel (aka Kate Banks), John Joseph (aka Avail Hollywood), and Bethel Makuochukwu (aka Violetqmartinez) were convicted for impersonating foreign nationals and using false identities to defraud unsuspecting victims. Makuochukwu had been sentenced two weeks earlier for money laundering.

All six defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. The prosecuting counsel urged the court to convict them accordingly.

Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced the defendants to two years imprisonment each with the option of fines. They are also required to forfeit all electronic gadgets, furniture and other items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC arrested the defendants at various locations in Kaduna upon intelligence received by the Command. This conviction serves as a warning to those who engage in criminal impersonation and other fraudulent activities on social media platforms.

The EFCC is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of financial crimes are brought to justice and the public is protected from their nefarious activities.