The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved another milestone in its fight against cybercrime, securing the conviction and sentencing of Al-Mustapha Isah Gupa and Qareeb Adekunle Yusuf before Justice I. A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court.
The duo, prosecuted on separate one-count charges of cheating and impersonation, were sentenced on May 6, 2025, following their guilty pleas, marking yet another victory for the EFCC’s relentless campaign against internet fraud in Nigeria.
Details of the Charges
Qareeb Adekunle Yusuf, alias “Teddy Swims,” was charged with defrauding multiple victims of $200 USD between January and April 2025.
Operating on Facebook, Yusuf falsely presented himself as Teddy Swims, a known personality, to deceive unsuspecting individuals. His actions violated Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, which addresses cheating, and were punishable under Section 309 of the same law.
Similarly, Al-Mustapha Isah Gupa, alias “Ritchie Inman,” was charged for impersonating a white man named Ritchie Inman on Facebook on or about April 20, 2024.
Through this false identity, Gupa cheated members of the public, committing an offense contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, which prohibits impersonation, and punishable under the same section.
Both defendants pleaded guilty when their charges were read, prompting EFCC prosecution counsel, M.U. Gadaka and M. Arumemi, to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The defense counsel, however, pleaded for leniency, citing the defendants’ remorse and willingness to reform.
Sentencing and Forfeitures
Justice I. A. Isiaka delivered a firm judgment, balancing punishment with an option for fines.
Qareeb Adekunle Yusuf was sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).
In addition, he was ordered to forfeit $200 USD, the proceeds of his crime, and an iPhone 11 Pro Max, identified as the tool used in his fraudulent activities, to the federal government.
Al-Mustapha Isah Gupa also received a three-year prison sentence or a fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
He forfeited an iPhone 15 Pro Max, used in perpetrating his crimes, to the federal government.
The forfeiture of their devices underscores the EFCC’s strategy to dismantle the tools of cybercrime, ensuring that fraudsters cannot easily resume their illicit activities.
Arrest and Investigation
The EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate acted on credible intelligence to apprehend the suspects.
Gupa was arrested at Bafra Hotel, a known location in Kaduna, while Yusuf was apprehended at Command Junction, another hotspot in the Kaduna metropolis.
Investigations revealed that both individuals engaged in “catfishing” schemes, assuming false identities on social media to exploit victims financially.
Their arrests add to the growing list of internet fraudsters nabbed by the EFCC in Kaduna, a region that has seen a surge in such crimes.
Context and Broader Impact
The convictions of Gupa and Yusuf are part of a broader crackdown by the EFCC’s Kaduna Zonal Directorate, which has secured multiple convictions for similar offenses in recent years.
In 2024 alone, the directorate convicted 42 fraudsters in Kaduna and Kano courts, with charges ranging from impersonation to currency counterfeiting.
These efforts reflect the EFCC’s mandate, established in 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, to combat financial crimes like advance fee fraud and money laundering, as well as to meet international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Public sentiment, as seen in posts on X, has largely supported the EFCC’s actions, with users like @officialEFCC amplifying the news of the convictions.
However, some voices, such as @NaijaWatch, have called for deeper investigations into the socioeconomic factors driving young Nigerians to cybercrime, suggesting that poverty and unemployment play significant roles.
What you should know
The sentencing of Gupa and Yusuf sends a clear message to would-be fraudsters: the EFCC remains vigilant and equipped to pursue justice.
Under the leadership of Chairman Ola Olukoyede, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023, the agency continues to enhance its forensic and investigative capacities to tackle evolving financial crimes.
The forfeiture of high-end devices like the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max also highlights the EFCC’s focus on disrupting the infrastructure of cybercrime.
As the Kaduna Zonal Directorate continues its operations, these convictions reinforce the agency’s role as a bulwark against economic sabotage.
For residents of Kaduna and beyond, the message is clear: impersonation and cheating will face severe consequences, whether through imprisonment or substantial fines.
The EFCC’s ongoing efforts will likely shape the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria for years to come.
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