19-Year-Old Nigerian Student Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Defrauding U.S. National

A 19-year-old student, Jayeola Goodnews, has been sentenced to six months in prison by the Gwagwalada Division of the FCT High Court for defrauding an American woman of $540.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Goodnews with one count of fraud. He pleaded guilty and requested leniency from the court.

Justice Aliyu Shafa, delivering the judgment, provided an option for Goodnews to pay a fine of N200,000 instead of serving the prison term. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the $540 recovered from Goodnews to the federal government via the EFCC.

During the trial, Goodnews expressed remorse and promised not to engage in fraudulent activities again. “I am sorry for committing the crime, and I will not do such again. I was introduced to internet fraud by my cousin, and I promise not to do that again,” he said.

His defense counsel, Nnamdi Akuneto, reinforced this plea, noting that Goodnews had shown genuine regret for his actions. Akuneto urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Prosecutor Daniel Iloakasia informed the court that Goodnews had defrauded a U.S. citizen named Michelle in 2023, using the alias Lee Kwagsoo and the email account leekwagsoo5-47@gmail.com. The offense, according to Iloakasia, contravened section 320(a) and is punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 532 of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The court also upheld the prosecution’s request for the forfeiture of the defrauded amount.