In a landmark verdict, Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court, seated in Kaduna, delivered a judgment on Wednesday, November 30, 2023, sentencing a fraudulent individual posing as a United States military officer. Zulayman Haruna was convicted and handed a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a single-count charge of internet fraud. The conviction was secured by the diligent efforts of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Haruna’s one-count charge stipulated that between January and October 2023, within the jurisdiction of the court, he attempted to commit an offense. In doing so, he falsely portrayed himself as Mariee Guerrero, a white female military personnel, on Facebook, a popular social media platform. The aim was to deceive numerous unsuspecting victims, including one Greg. The charge was in violation of Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Upon Haruna’s admission of guilt, the prosecution counsel, E.K Garba, urged the court to proceed with the conviction. Subsequently, Justice Bello sentenced Haruna to two years in prison or a fine option of N150,000. Furthermore, an iPhone X, identified as the instrument used in committing the offense, was forfeited to the Federal government through the EFCC.
In a parallel case, Justice A.A Isiaka, presiding over the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna, pronounced a two-year prison sentence on Didam Jesse. Jesse, who pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of cheating by impersonation, was arraigned by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC.
The charge against Jesse outlined that in February 2023, within the jurisdiction of the court, he committed an offense by falsely presenting himself as Endurance Princes David on Facebook. In this assumed identity, he deceived Naziru HB, defrauding him of the sum of N7,000. The charge contravened Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Following Jesse’s guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, M. Lawal, implored the court to proceed with the conviction. Consequently, Justice Isiaka sentenced Jesse to two years in prison or a fine option of N100,000. Additionally, the Techno Spark 8P, identified as the tool of the crime, along with the N7,000 proceeds, were forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC.
Both Haruna and Jesse were apprehended in the Kaduna metropolis for their involvement in internet-related offenses. Upon thorough prosecution by the EFCC, they were exposed as impersonators, leading to their conviction by the court. The verdict underscores the commitment to curbing cybercrimes and prosecuting those involved in fraudulent activities.
