EFCC arraigns woman for N15.2 million fraud as court convicts two for cybercrime in Borno

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Maiduguri Zonal Directorate, on Monday, arraigned one Fatima Muhammad before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court on charges of obtaining money by pretenses and criminal misappropriation.

According to a statement signed by Dele Oyewale EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Muhammad was charged with an eight-count charge involving a total sum of N15,250,000.

According to EFCC, one of the charges stated that on August 5, 2021, Muhammad—also known as Fatima Modu Chol Chol—allegedly obtained N4,200,000 from one Umar Faruq Kyari under the false pretense of investing in a business involving carpets and wrappers.

The prosecution argued that she had no intention of carrying out the business and, therefore, committed an offense under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, 2006.

Muhammad pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by Faruku Muhammad, requested a trial date and for her to be remanded in a correctional center.

It noted that Kumaliya granted the request, setting March 17, 2025, for the trial to commence.

In a separate case,  K. Dagat, Justice of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, convicted and sentenced two individuals, Chimdi Godson Izuogu and Chidera Precious Izuogu, for cyber fraud and money laundering.

The EFCC had charged the duo on separate counts related to internet fraud, impersonation, and laundering a combined sum of N8,207,479.

Court documents revealed that between 2022 and 2023, Chimdi Godson Izuogu allegedly took possession of N5,012,422 through various accounts linked to fraudulent transactions involving foreign currency cash apps, Pampay, and gift cards.

His co-defendant, Chidera Precious Izuogu, was found to have received N3,195,057.59 through similar fraudulent means.

Both pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by S.O. Saka, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Dagat sentenced each defendant to four years in prison on each count, with the option of paying a N100,000 fine.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of several items. These include an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Also forfeited were a blue Techno mobile phone and an HP laptop.

The court further ordered the forfeiture of N2,000,000 and N1,455,057.59 in cash, as well as $100 (One Hundred US Dollars).

The EFCC disclosed that the convicts were involved in defrauding foreign nationals through fake social media accounts before their arrest, prosecution, and conviction.