7 Yahoo boys forfeit hotel, N230.3m, others to FG

A Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has ruled that the federal government take possession of N232,396,714.00, a hotel, and $4,977, all seized from seven convicted internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys.”

Justice M.S. Abubakar issued the forfeiture order following the sentencing of the individuals, who were prosecuted on separate charges of criminal impersonation, cybercrime, money laundering, and obtaining funds under false pretenses.

The case was handled by the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to a statement released by the agency on Thursday.

The convicted individuals were identified as Tamaraudeinyefa Brakekebe, Godday Brakebebe, Terhemba Josiah, Avalumun Elijah,  among others?

One of the charges read: “That you, Terhemba Josiah Asagh ‘M’ (27 years old), sometime between 2021 and 2025 in Makurdi, Benue State, with intent to defraud, did send electronic messages via Facebook App using a fake identity as an Asian soldier working for the United Nations in the United States of America. Based on this misrepresentation, unsuspecting foreigners suffered losses amounting to about $300,000, which you converted to your Kuda Bank Account and used in building the Century Crip Inn Hotel, Gboko…”

According to the EFCC, all seven defendants pleaded guilty to their charges, leading to a case review by prosecutors M. Yusuf, A. S. Idris, A. Gazali, K. T. Sunday, and Imadifon Igbinidu, who urged the court to convict them accordingly.

Following deliberations, Justice Abubakar sentenced Brakebebe to one year in prison, with the option of a N500,000 fine, while ordering the forfeiture of over N167 million found in his bank accounts. His co-defendant, Godday Brakebebe, was sentenced to three years in prison or a N500,000 fine, and also forfeited over N56 million to the federal government.

The EFCC emphasized that these convictions and forfeitures serve as a warning to others involved in internet fraud.