Kaduna Court Convicts Trio for Social Media Fraud Schemes
The Kaduna State High Court has delivered a significant verdict, convicting and sentencing three persons to imprisonment for engaging in internet fraud through popular social media platforms, Facebook and TikTok. The convictions, which underscore the growing crackdown on cybercrime in Nigeria, were secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Details of the Convictions and Charges
Aliyu Hassan, Samuel Olamide, and Solomon Joseph Christian were found guilty on separate one-count charges related to criminal impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence. The EFCC disclosed these convictions on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, via its verified X account, highlighting the successful prosecution by its Kaduna Zonal Directorate before Justice A. Isiaka.
According to the EFCC statement, Aliyu Hassan, who operated under the alias Ottaviani Loverules Giovanni, impersonated a Brazilian citizen on Facebook on February 9, 2026. He defrauded a victim named Kerry of N90,000 through deceptive means. Similarly, Samuel Olamide, using the alias Johnny, impersonated a United States citizen on TikTok on the same date and defrauded an American identified as Jackie Sanders.
In a parallel case, Solomon Joseph Christian, also known as Jenort, impersonated another individual on Facebook in February 2026 and fraudulently obtained $150 from his victim. These offences were found to contravene Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, which addresses fraudulent activities and impersonation.
Sentencing and Forfeiture Orders
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, leading prosecution counsel M.U. Gadaka to urge the court for conviction and appropriate sentencing. Justice Isiaka subsequently sentenced each of the convicts to five years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N300,000 fine. This sentencing reflects the court's firm stance against cybercrime and its commitment to upholding justice.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the forfeiture of items recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government. Aliyu Hassan forfeited N90,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 smartphone used in committing the offence. Samuel Olamide forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S21, while Solomon Joseph Christian forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro and $150, identified as proceeds of the crime. These forfeitures aim to deter similar fraudulent activities and recover illicit gains.
Arrest and Investigation Background
The EFCC reported that the convicts were arrested in the Agwa/Kudende area of Kaduna following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. This arrest underscores the agency's proactive efforts in combating cybercrime through intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with judicial authorities.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences awaiting those who engage in internet fraud, particularly through social media platforms. It also highlights the ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to protect citizens from online scams and maintain cybersecurity.
