Man Sentenced by Kaduna Court Over Online Scam

Justice Amina Bello of the Kaduna State High Court has convicted and sentenced one Zeal Abraham for engaging in online fraud.

The conviction followed a one-count charge filed by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing Abraham of impersonation and cheating in a $200 internet scam.

According to the charge, Abraham—who posed as a musician named Chris Mitchell on the social media app ‘Zangi’—defrauded a woman named Laura Moss of $200. His actions were said to violate Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, which is punishable under Section 309 of the same law.

Upon arraignment, Abraham pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel M.E. Eimonye subsequently urged the court to convict and sentence him.

Justice Bello sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of a ₦400,000 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of a Samsung G9355 smartphone—used in perpetrating the crime—as well as the $200 obtained through fraudulent means, to the federal government.

Abraham was arrested alongside others on Post Office Road in Sabo, Kaduna, after the EFCC acted on credible intelligence regarding their suspected involvement in internet fraud.