Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna, Kaduna State has convicted and sentenced one Stephen Adeoti to jail for fraud.
He was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a one-count charge, bordering on impersonation and cybercrime.
The charge reads: “That you, Stephen Adeoti (a.k.a Anonymous Collective) (M) between January to April, 2025 in Bida, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Anonymous Collective, on Facebook (an online social media application) with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv)of the same Act.”
He pleaded “guilty”, following which the prosecution counsel, M.E.Eimonye urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Aikawa convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment or to pay N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited iPhone 7, being the tool of his crime to the federal government.
Adeoti’s road to jail began with his arrest in Bida, Niger State, following credible intelligence that exposed his fraudulent internet activities.
