Crime
Man Sentenced to One Year in Lagos Court for Online Impersonation
Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a man to one year in prison for impersonating another person online in an attempt to defraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Daniel Osiagor, sitting in Ikoyi, delivered the judgment Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The convict, identified as Imran Mujeeb Ayomide, was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC charged Ayomide with fraudulent impersonation after investigators discovered that he had posed as a woman named Agent Julie Ann Andrews Irs using a Google account. Prosecutors told the court that Ayomide used the false identity to mislead others for his personal gain.
According to the charge sheet, the crime took place in August 2025 in Lagos. The offense violated Section 22(2)(b) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which addresses internet-related fraud and imposes penalties for offenders.
When the charge was read to him, Ayomide pleaded guilty. His plea allowed the prosecution to present evidence directly to the court without a lengthy trial.
Prosecution counsel N. C. Mutfwang reviewed the facts of the case. She submitted Ayomide’s written statement and presented a Samsung S10 smartphone recovered from him during the investigation. Mutfwang urged the court to convict him, arguing that the EFCC had provided clear evidence of the impersonation scheme.
After reviewing the evidence and Ayomide’s guilty plea, Justice Osiagor found him guilty as charged.
The judge sentenced him to one year in prison but gave him the option of paying a fine of 120,000 naira (about $160). In addition, the court ordered that the Samsung phone used in the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC, in a statement, welcomed the ruling. The commission has repeatedly warned that online impersonation is one of the most common tactics used by fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting victims. By pretending to be another person, scammers often trick people into sharing sensitive information, sending money, or granting access to online accounts.
Cybercrime remains a major concern in Nigeria, where so-called “Yahoo Boys” have gained global attention for internet fraud schemes. Authorities say such crimes damage the country’s international image and discourage foreign investment.
The Cybercrimes Act of 2015 was passed to combat these offenses. It provides legal tools to prosecute offenders and sets penalties for a wide range of online crimes, including identity theft, cyberstalking, phishing, and financial fraud. Offenders can face heavy fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of assets used in the crime.
Legal experts say Ayomide’s conviction shows that courts are increasingly enforcing the law to deter others. “Cases like this send a message that cybercrime has consequences,” said one lawyer familiar with EFCC prosecutions.
The EFCC has urged young Nigerians to avoid online fraud and instead use their digital skills for legitimate opportunities. The commission has also increased public awareness campaigns about the risks of impersonation and internet scams.
In recent years, the EFCC has secured multiple convictions for similar crimes. Many offenders are caught after impersonating foreign nationals or creating fake online profiles to deceive victims. Some target individuals through romance scams, while others impersonate officials or business representatives.
For Ayomide, the ruling means he must either serve time in prison or pay the court-ordered fine. The forfeiture of his mobile device underscores the EFCC’s stance that tools used in cybercrime will not be returned to offenders.
The judgment highlights Nigeria’s continued battle against online fraud. As internet use grows in the country, authorities say stricter enforcement of cybercrime laws is necessary to protect both local and international users.
Crime
ADC Gains Momentum In Southeast Following Peter Obi’s Entry.
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
Crime
Abia Police Arrest 809 Suspects, Recover 88 Firearms In 2025 Crackdown.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
Crime
Major Breakthrough As Police Arrest Suspects In Sophisticated Microsoft Email Hack.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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