The duo of Olawuyi Segun Caleb and Abdulkareem Abubakar have been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment each for fraud.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), they were sentenced by Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna.
EFCC disclosed that they were prosecuted by its Kaduna Zonal Directorate on separate one-count charge, bordering on internet fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, and money laundering.
The charge against Caleb reads: “That you Olawuyi Segun Caleb (a.k.a Larissa Livier), Male, sometimes in March, 2025 in Jos Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Larissa Livier (a citizen of Chicago, United States of America) on Facebook (an online social media application), with intent to gain advantage to yourself and thereby committed 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.”
That of Abubakar reads: “That you Abdulkareem Abubakar (a.k.a Elizabeth Robertson) sometime in February, 2025 in Minna, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained the total sum of $150.00 (One Hundred and Fifty USD) which you knew that such fund forms 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.”
The anti-graft agency revealed that they pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. Consequently, prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they had become remorseful for their actions.
“Justice Aikawa sentenced Abubakar to five years imprisonment or to pay ₦500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited the sum of $150.00 (One Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), being the proceeds of crime and Itel A58 Lite, being the tool of his crime, to the Federal Government.
“Caleb also bagged five years imprisonment or to pay ₦400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 13, being the tool of his crime to the Federal Government,” the Commission stated.
It added that the convicts were arrested in White Hill Luxury Hotel, Minna, Niger State, following credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
