Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced Isaac Otaigbe Omonodion and Obinna Daniel to jail for fraud.
They were prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate a one-count charge that border on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and cybercrime.
The charge against Omonodion reads: “That you Isaac Otaigbe Omonodion (a.k.a. Major Hashim), male, sometime in April, 2025 in Bida, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Major Hashim (a Nigerian military personnel) on Facebook, with the intent to gain advantage to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (I) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.”
That of Daniel reads: “That you, Obinna Daniel (a.k.a. Obinna. Y. Emmette) sometime between January to December, 2024 in Tammah, Nasarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Alex.Y. Emmette on Tiktok (an online social media platform) and in such assumed identity fraudulently obtained of the total sum $500 (Five Hundred United State of America Dollars) only from one Alex Dample and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act,2015 and punishable under Section 22 (3) of the same Act.”
They pleaded “guilty” to their charge when it was read to them, following which the prosecution counsel, M.U.Gadaka urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Aikawa thereafter, convicted and sentenced Omonodion to three years imprisonment or to pay N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, being the tool of his crime to the federal government. Daniel was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition he forfeited iPhone 16 Plus and the sum of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars), being the tool and proceeds of his crime, respectively to the federal government.
Omonodion was arrested in Bida, Niger State, while Daniel was arrested in Tammah, Nasarawa State. Both arrests followed credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.
