The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction of internet fraudster Ogagarojo Godstime, also known as Alex Gonzalex, before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State. Godstime pleaded guilty to cyber-related criminal impersonation charges involving the fraudulent possession of $400. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, or to pay a fine of N800,000. The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 used in committing the offence to the Federal Government.
The charges against Godstime, filed on May 12, 2025, were under Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022. Prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud informed the court that Godstime had refunded the $400 to the EFCC.
In a related development, the EFCC arraigned three suspected internet fraudsters—Inemesit Asuquo Bassey, Franklin Edet Eyo, Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo—and one alleged illegal foreign currency dealer, Kassim Mohammed, before Justice Sergius Onah at the Federal High Court in Uyo on the same day.
Kassim Mohammed was charged with operating a Bureau de Change without a valid licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria. At his arrest in May 2024 in Aba, Abia State, Mohammed was found with various foreign currencies including US Dollars, Japanese Yen, and Chinese Yuan. He pleaded guilty, and prosecution counsel Barrister Joshua Abolarin requested his conviction and forfeiture of the seized currencies. The case was adjourned for judgment, and Mohammed was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre, Uyo.
Inemesit Asuquo Bassey pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal impersonation and defrauding a Hungarian national of €150 through fake social media accounts. His judgment is slated for May 22, 2025.
Meanwhile, Franklin Edet Eyo and Chukwudi Patrick Ahiahwo pleaded not guilty to charges of internet fraud. Edet’s trial is scheduled for June 2, 2025, while Ahiahwo’s bail consideration is set for May 15, 2025. Both remain in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Uyo.
The EFCC continues its crackdown on cybercrime and illegal foreign exchange operations, emphasizing the enforcement of financial laws in Nigeria.
