This is just as the court convicted a fraud suspect, Ogagarojo Godstime, also known as Alex Gonzalex.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four alleged fraudsters — Inemesit Asuquo Bassey, Franklin Edet Eyo, Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo, and Kassim Mohammed — on charges related to internet fraud and illegal foreign currency dealings in Uyo and Calabar.
This is just as the court convicted a fraud suspect, Ogagarojo Godstime, also known as Alex Gonzalex.
He was convicted by the Federal High Court in Calabar for criminal impersonation.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Ogagarojo Godstime (aka Alex Gonzalex) ‘M’ sometime in 2024, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently present yourself as Marc Labelle on the social media with intent to gain advantage for yourself, did take possession of the aggregate sum of Four Hundred United Sate Dollars ($400) knowing that the money form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; cyber impersonation and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
Godstime pleaded guilty, and prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud told the court the convict had restituted the $400 and requested forfeiture of his iPhone 11.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu sentenced him to 12 months in prison per count, to run concurrently, or a fine of ₦800,000, with the phone forfeited to the Nigerian government.
In Uyo, Kassim Mohammed was arraigned for operating a Bureau de Change without a valid licence, having been found in possession of multiple foreign currencies.
The charge states: “That you, Kassim Muhammed ‘M’ sometime in May, 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and without a valid license granted to you by the Central Bank of Nigeria, did conduct business of other financial institutions to wit: Bureau de change and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under Section 57 (5) (b) of the same Act.”
Mohammed pleaded guilty, and prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin urged the court to convict him and forfeit the currencies to the Federal Government. Defence counsel did not oppose. Judgment was adjourned, and Mohammed was remanded in custody.
Inemesit Asuquo Bassey pleaded guilty to defrauding a Hungarian national of €150 using fake social media accounts.
One charge reads: “That you, Asuquo Enemesit Bassey ‘M’ sometime in 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession and control of £150 (One Hundred and Fifty Euros) intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an-offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under the Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
His sentencing was adjourned to 22 May 2025.
Franklin Edet Eyo and Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo pleaded not guilty to internet fraud charges, with their trials and bail proceedings scheduled for June and May respectively.
All accused remain in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
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