The proprietor of the Uyo Cybercrime Training Centre, Ikemesit Edet, also known as Hustle Kingdom (HK), has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Edet pleaded guilty to two count charges including impersonation, love scam, hacking of social media accounts, and private criminal tutoring:
Count one reads: That you IKEMESIT EDET IK sometime in January, 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, being the occupier and a person concerned with the management of the premises situates and lying at No. 57 D-Line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, did knowingly permit the use of the entire aforesaid premises as a CYBERCRIME ACADEMY, also known as Hustle Kingdom (HK) where you recruited ten (10) young Nigerians between ages 16-25 and taught them cybercrime techniques for perpetrating cyber crimes to wit: hacking, impersonation, and obtaining money by false pretence (Advance Fee Fraud) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
Count two reads: That you IKEMESIT EDET IK between May 2020 and December 2023 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession total sum of Fifteen Million Naira Only (N15,000,000.00) which you knew forms proceed of an unlawful act to wit: Cyber-crime and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Edet’s conviction stems from his operation of a cybercrime academy, where he taught illicit techniques to young Nigerians. He knowingly facilitated cybercrime and possessed proceeds of unlawful acts.
He knowingly permitted his premises for criminal activities, amassing Fifteen Million Naira from illegal ventures.
Upon pleading guilty, prosecution requested conviction and sentencing, while defense urged leniency. Justice Ojukwu sentenced Edet to five years imprisonment. Each count carried an option of a Two Million Naira fine. Edet’s sentence followed his admission of guilt. The court also ordered the forfeiture of all exhibits recovered from Edet, including laptops, vehicles, and land.
EFCC operatives in Uyo investigated, leading to Edet’s arrest and the apprehension of 10 suspects at his Cybercrime Training Centre.
Moreover, Michael Melvin Onyekachi, also known as ‘Raisa Pedroso,’ received a conviction and a six-month imprisonment sentence.
The charge against Michael Melvin Oyedikachi accuses him of fraudulent representation as ‘Raisa Pedroso’ on Facebook. Consequently, this action aimed to gain personal advantage, violating Section 22(2)(b)(I) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
The offense is punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act. Oyedikachi’s conviction underscores the seriousness of cybercrime offenses.
Onyekachi presented himself as Raisa Pedroso on Facebook with the intent to gain advantage for himself, consequently leading to his conviction. This underscores the EFCC’s commitment to combatting internet-related fraud and ensuring perpetrators face justice.
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