Justice Hauwa’u Bello of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced four individuals—Daspan Eric Domshak (a.k.a Batshon Abe), David Awu Tanko (a.k.a Sara Khongs), Emmanuel Caesar Yakubu (a.k.a Jessica Simeon), and Tobi Segun Kazeem—for their involvement in internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC prosecuted the convicts on separate one-count charges of impersonation, cheating, and money laundering.
The charge against Domshak reads: “That you, Daspan Eric Domshak (a.k.a Batshon Abe), (M), between October and November 2023 at Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, falsely presented yourself as Batshon Abe on Facebook (an online social media application) and in that assumed character obtained the total sum of $250.00 (Two hundred and fifty USD) only and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
The charge against Kazeem reads: “That you, Tobi Segun Kazeem, sometime in June 2024 in Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the total sum of $150 (United States Dollars) which you knew was part of the 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 convicts pleaded guilty to the charges, leading the prosecution counsel—M.E. Eimonye, M. Arumemi, K. Ogunlade, and M.U. Gadaka—to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Bello sentenced Tanko to two years imprisonment or a fine of N700,000.00 (Seven Hundred Thousand Naira). Kazeem and Yakubu each received four-year prison sentences or fines of N900,000.00 (Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) and N450,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) respectively. Domshak was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Additionally, the convicts forfeited their phones, which were used in their crimes, to the federal government.
The convicts were arrested in Jos, Plateau State, following reports of their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.
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