The Kaduna High Court has ordered the forfeiture of several assets belonging to convicted fraudster Stephen James, including a Samsung S20 phone, three HP laptops, three luxury cars, and N9.5 million in cash.
During the proceedings on Thursday, Justice Dairus Khobo sentenced James to ten months in prison, offering an alternative of a N300,000 fine after he admitted guilt to charges of internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, P.C. Oyeneho, informed the court that James was apprehended following intelligence reports about a group of fraudsters operating in Ungwan Sarki and surrounding areas.
According to the prosecution, James created a fraudulent Instagram account under the alias “David Richard,” portraying himself as a U.S. Army officer. He then struck up a relationship with one of his victims, Ryan Frank, ultimately defrauding him of N8 million between 2023 and 2024.
The court heard that James utilized a portion of the illicit funds to purchase a 2016 Mercedes Benz C1300, a Toyota Lexus E350, and a Lexus E330, along with the N9.5 million cash found in his possession.
The charges against him fall under the provisions governing advance fee fraud. Following James’s guilty plea and the presentation of evidence, including his extrajudicial statements and the seized items, the prosecution urged the court to convict him based on the evidence submitted.
