Justices R.M. Aikawa and Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna have convicted and sentenced AbdulFatai Ismail Alade (a.k.a hismaheel asiwaju), Audu Ishida and Elisha Smith for fraud.
The trio were convicted on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation and money laundering, brought against them by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While Justice Aikawa sealed Alade’s fate, Ishida and Smith were convicted and sentenced by Justice Buhari.
Alade’s charge reads: “That you,Abdulfatahi Ismaeel Alade(a.k.a Hismaheel Asiwaju) sometime between 2023 and 2024, at Minna, Niger State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the total sum of $95.00 (Ninety five Dollars) when you knew such fund forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act,2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
That of Smith reads: “That you Elisha Smith (m), sometime in May, 2024 in Jos South, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the total sum of N808,234.02(Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand Two Hundred And Thirty Four Naira Two Kobo) only in your account no.9030090284 domiciled in Palmpay Bank Ltd with account name: Elisha Smith Anzaina which you knew that such fund forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act.”
When the charges were read to them, they pleaded “guilty” prompting prosecution counsel, M.E Eimonye and M. Lawal to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Aikawa sentenced Alade to five years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
In addition, the court ordered him to forfeit an iPhone 11 Pro mobile phone with IMEI No:353248109724490 to the federal government.
Similarly, Justice Buhari sentenced Smith to four years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and Ishida to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).
The court also ordered Smith and Ishida forfeited one Samsung Galaxy S10e mobile phone with IMEI 35603232102690016 and one Oppo F1s with IMEI No: 862784037953334 respectively to the federal government.
