Court sentences two for online impersonation, fraud

The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has secured the conviction of Musa Abdulmalik and Sunday Godwin for cheating by impersonation before Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court.

The defendants faced separate one-count charges of cheating by impersonation.

Abdulmalik, also known as Lynn Ben, was accused of posing as a female adult entertainer on Telegram in January 2026 and defrauding a victim of $80 USD. His actions contravened Sections 308 and 309 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

Godwin, alias Chrismitchellprivateacc3, was charged with impersonating a TikTok user in 2025 and defrauding several victims of a total of $400 AUD, also in violation of Sections 308 and 309 of the Penal Code Law.

Both defendants pleaded guilty. Following the plea, prosecution counsel M.E. Eimonye requested the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Bello sentenced Abdulmalik to five years imprisonment or a N300,000 fine. He also forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (IMEI: 353568560090176 & 354619360090178) and $80 USD, both deemed proceeds and tools of the crime, to the federal government.

Godwin was sentenced to four years imprisonment or a N300,000 fine, with forfeiture of $400 AUD and an iPhone 13 (IMEI: 3515486000720) to the federal government.

The EFCC stated that the convictions highlight its commitment to curbing online fraud and protecting unsuspecting victims from digital scams.