Man accused of being a yahoo boy sentenced to jail after failing to account for N6m in his account
A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a suspected internet fraudster, Ukoh Michael Odeh to one year imprisonment.
Justice O.A. Egwuatu jailed Michael on one count-charge of fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Command.
The defendant landed in trouble when the command received an intelligence report regarding the suspicious activities of some individuals suspected to be internet fraudsters in Makurdi.
Following an operation by security operatives, Odeh was subsequently arrested anc charged to court.
The charge reads: “That you, Ukoh Michael Odeh, between 2022 and 2023 in Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fail to account for the source of N6,000,000 (Six Million Naira only) in your FCMB account No: 4668442010 when you reasonably ought to have known or suspected that the said unaccounted funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: Fraud and Money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 20(b) of the same Act”.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, M. Yusuf prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Egwuatu gave him an option of N300,000.00 fine and ordered the convict to forfeit N300,000 as restitution to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Odeh is also to forfeit an Infinix 7 smart phone being proceeds of criminal activity to the Nigerian Government.
