The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) has secured the forfeiture of $2,200 in money, N90,280,934, and several other properties situated in Abuja and Lagos following the conviction of a cybercrime suspect, Chima Hyginus Nkwocha, often known as “Younger Billionaire.”
The Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja convicted Nkwocha on fees of impersonation and cash laundering, based on an EFCC assertion launched on Wednesday.
Nkwocha was arraigned earlier than Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Maitama, Abuja, following his arrest in August 2024 on the Lugbe space of Abuja, primarily based on intelligence obtained by the EFCC’s Superior Payment Fraud Part.
EFCC Allegations
- Nkwocha was accused of impersonating people, together with Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown, and Chiress Riffatt, utilizing Gmail and Google Voice to defraud Linda Wheeler, an American citizen, for $345,000.
- He reportedly obtained the naira equal of the funds by Ginux World Nigeria Ltd’s Zenith Bank account.
- The EFCC prosecution counsel, Lanre Adeola Olanrewaju, offered proof together with the defendant’s extrajudicial statements admitting to the crime, in addition to digital units, forensic investigation experiences, and different supplies.
Rely one of many EFCC’s fees learn: “That you simply, Chima Hyginus Nkwocha (AKA Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown, and Chiress Riffatt), someday in 2022 in Abuja, throughout the jurisdiction of this Honourable Courtroom, did fraudulently impersonate Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown, and Chiress Riffatt on Gmail and Google Voice utilizing the Gmail addresses, [email protected] and [email protected] with intent to defraud, fraudulently acquiring a cumulative sum of Three Hundred and Forty-5 Thousand {Dollars} ($345,000) from Linda Wheeler, an American, and receiving the naira equal by Ginux World Nigeria Restricted with account quantity 1228782493 domiciled in Zenith Bank, thereby committing an offence opposite to Part 22(2) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, And many others.) Act, 2015 and punishable below Part 22(4) of the Act.”
The EFCC disclosed to the court docket that gadgets recovered throughout Nkwocha’s arrest included:
- A black Mercedes Benz ML 350 with registration quantity B-2 and chassis quantity 4JGDA5HB9DA105827
- Two gold necklaces with pendants, one gold bracelet
- $2,200 in money and N90,280,934 in a Ginux World Nigeria Ltd Zenith Bank account (account quantity 1228782493), for which Nkwocha was the only signatory
- A 3-bedroom terrace duplex at Cookies Courtroom 2, 2nd Avenue, Ocean Palm Property, Ogombo, Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos
- A 3-bedroom bungalow and two self-contained flats on Plot B023, Customary Property, Galadima, Abuja
- A plot of land measuring 300 sq. meters at Eko Seaside Metropolis, Lekki Part 1, Lagos
- Two Zenith Bank drafts price N5,000,000 and N3,000,000, dated September 12, 2024, and October 17, 2024, respectively
- An iPhone 13 Professional Max, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely, and a Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
What Transpired In Courtroom
- On the resumed listening to in December, Nkwocha pleaded responsible to the fees. The defence counsel raised no objections to the EFCC’s proof, admitting all of the displays.
- Prosecution counsel Olanrewaju urged the court docket to convict Nkwocha in step with legal guidelines in opposition to cybercrime and cash laundering.
- Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Nkwocha on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, to 2 years imprisonment with an choice of a N2,000,000 effective.
- The court docket additionally ordered the forfeiture of all gadgets and properties to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria, declaring them proceeds of crime.
- EFCC quoted the choose as stating that the forfeited gadgets included the black Mercedes Benz ML 350, gold jewellery, $2,200 money, N90,280,934 within the Zenith Bank account, properties in Lagos and Abuja, Zenith Bank drafts, and digital units recovered from Nkwocha.
The conviction underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle in opposition to monetary crimes. Nevertheless, the Federal Excessive Courtroom’s verdict stays topic to enchantment by any aggrieved get together.
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