Kano : Court sentences 29 ‘Yahoo Boys’ to prison

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has convicted and sentenced 29 individuals involved in internet fraud, commonly known as “Yahoo Boys,” to varying jail terms, according to a statement released Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice S.M. Shuaibu delivered the verdict following the successful prosecution of the suspects by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The convicts were charged individually, with the exception of one defendant, on offences ranging from impersonation and cybercrime to retention of proceeds of crime and money laundering.

The statement listed the names of those convicted: “Prosper Godfrey, Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu, Bolodeoku Daniel, Nduka Samuel Uche, Isaac Omeiza, Obasi Solomon Chimerie, ThankGod Adeniyi, Obasi Joshua Mmaduabuchi, Emmanuel Eyo, Dominion Elejo Jeremiah, John Godswill Amedu, Daniel Olusegun Ajibola, Abdulwaris Animasahun and Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim.

“Others are: Omojuyigbe Ifeoluwa Simon, Jeremiah Odey, Joseph Gideon, Achor Joseph, Bala Meshack, Bawa Abubakar, David Ajibola Damilola, Tijani Tobi Emmanuel, Abdulquadri Animasahun, Arinze Daniel Nwachukwu, Arinze Orajiuka, James Peter Ayemoba, Hassan Abraham Adamu, Moses Friday and Bernard Joseph Imalegwu.”

Each suspect faced a separate one-count charge, except for Ejim, who was arraigned on two counts. Charges detailed in the statement included fraudulent impersonation and the retention of funds obtained through illegal means.

The EFCC cited the specific charge against Prosper Godfrey:”That you Prosper Godfrey (a.k.a Goodlife001), male, sometime in April, 2025 in Nassarawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Goodlife001 via a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yoursel from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committted an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention Etc Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

For Chiwendu, the charge read:”That you Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu, sometime in March, 2025 in Nassarwa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained the total sum of $500.00 (Five Hundred United States Dollars) which you knew formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering ( Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

Upon hearing the charges, all defendants pleaded guilty. The prosecution, led by M.U. Gadaka and M. Lawal, requested the court to convict and sentence accordingly. Defence counsel, in turn, urged the court to show leniency, citing the remorse expressed by the defendants.

The judge delivered various sentences, many with the option of a fine, alongside forfeitures of electronic devices and funds used or acquired in the course of the crimes.

Some highlights of the sentencing include: Igwe Ebenezer Chiwendu: Sentenced to four years imprisonment or a N500,000 fine. He also forfeited a Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and $500 to the federal government.

Okechukwu Kingsley Ejim: Sentenced to four years or a N250,000 fine, with forfeitures including an iPhone 12 Pro Max, $100, and N500,000.

Omojuyigbe Ifeoluwa Simon: Received five years or N400,000 fine, forfeiting an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a motorcycle, and $320.
Jeremiah Odey: Handed two years or a N300,000 fine. He forfeited an iPhone 13 Pro Max, two Airtel routers, and £140.

Bolodeoku Daniel: Got two years or N400,000 fine, losing an iPhone 14 Pro Max, $115, and N500,000.

Several others were sentenced under similar terms with the forfeiture of phones, laptops, motorcycles, and cash in naira, dollars, and pounds — all of which were ruled to be either tools or proceeds of their crimes.