Justices R.M. Aikawa and Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, have convicted and sentenced AbdulFatai Ismail Alade, known as Hismaheel Asiwaju, alongside Audu Ishida and Elisha Smith for fraud.
The trio was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Directorate on separate one-count charges of impersonation and money laundering.Justice Aikawa presided over Alade’s conviction, while Justices Buhari convicted and sentenced Ishida and Smith.
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 Honorable 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 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.”
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All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them, leading the prosecution counsel, M.E. Eimonye and M. Lawal, to request that the court proceed with their conviction and sentencing.
Justice Aikawa sentenced Alade to five years imprisonment, with an option of a five hundred thousand Naira fine.
Additionally, Alade forfeited an iPhone 11 Pro (IMEI No: 353248109724490) to the federal government.
In a separate ruling, Justice Buhari sentenced Smith to four years imprisonment, or an alternative fine of five hundred thousand Naira, and Ishida to two years imprisonment, with an option of a four hundred thousand Naira fine.
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Both Smith and Ishida also forfeited their mobile phones—a Samsung Galaxy S10e (IMEI No: 35603232102690016) and an Oppo F1s (IMEI No: 862784037953334), respectively—to the federal government.
