On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured convictions for two criminals in Ilorin.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro delivered separate rulings against Abubakar Suleiman and Lawal Farauq for financial and cybercrimes.
Abubakar Suleiman admitted operating an unlicensed Bureau De Change business at Chikanda Market in Kwara State.
The EFCC charged him under the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. Investigators recovered CFA 3,360,000, N220,000, and counterfeit N71,000 during his arrest.
Consequently, Justice Awogboro sentenced Suleiman to 300 hours of community service.
She also ordered the forfeiture of all seized funds to the federal government.
Meanwhile, Lawal Farauq confessed to impersonating Johanna Smith to defraud Mark Dewitt of $70 via a messenger account.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including an iPhone 6s Plus used in the crime.
Similarly, Justice Awogboro sentenced Farauq to 200 hours of community service. The court mandated the forfeiture of the stolen $70 and the iPhone.
The EFCC praised the convictions, reaffirming its dedication to curbing financial and cybercrimes nationwide. Both offenders were apprehended by EFCC operatives before prosecution.
Furthermore, the rulings highlighted penalties for illegal financial operations and cyber fraud under Nigerian law. Suleiman’s activities violated Central Bank licensing rules, while Farauq breached the Cybercrime Act.
Prosecutors emphasized Suleiman’s unlicensed transactions at Chikanda Market in May 2024. His guilty plea accelerated the trial, supported by documentary evidence and monetary exhibits.
In contrast, Farauq’s September 2023 impersonation scheme targeted foreign victims through deceptive online tactics. His admission of guilt streamlined the judicial process.
Justice Awogboro’s verdicts stressed accountability, linking community service to restitution for societal harm. The forfeitures aimed to deter future economic sabotage.
Additionally, the EFCC underscored the importance of licensing compliance for Bureau De Change operators.
Unauthorized financial dealings threaten Nigeria’s monetary stability, prompting stricter enforcement.
Cybercrime convictions like Farauq’s reflect growing efforts to combat digital fraud.
The iPhone’s forfeiture symbolized dismantling tools enabling such crimes.
These cases exemplify Nigeria’s legal framework punishing economic and cyber offenses. The EFCC urged citizens to report suspicious activities promptly.
Ultimately, the convictions reinforced the judiciary’s role in safeguarding national interests. Justice Awogboro’s judgments aligned with anti-corruption goals, signaling zero tolerance for illegality.
The EFCC vowed to intensify operations, leveraging public cooperation to uphold accountability. Both rulings serve as warnings to potential offenders nationwide.
