Yahoo Boy’ Sentenced to One-Year Jail Term for Unaccounted N6 Million in Bank Account
Ukoh Michael Odeh has been handed a one-year prison sentence by Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja. He was convicted on a single count of fraud, following charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Makurdi Zonal Command.
The case against Odeh began when the EFCC received an intelligence report about suspicious activities involving individuals suspected of internet fraud in Makurdi. Odeh was subsequently apprehended during a sting operation.
The charge stated:
“Ukoh Michael Odeh, between 2022 and 2023 in Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fail to account for the source of N6,000,000 (Six Million Naira) only in your account when you reasonably ought to have known or suspected that the said unaccounted funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: Fraud and Money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 20(b) of the same Act.”
Odeh pleaded guilty to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, M. Yusuf, requested that the court proceed with conviction.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently convicted and sentenced Michael to one year in prison, with the option of a fine of N300,000. Additionally, the convict is to forfeit N300,000 as restitution to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.
Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of an Infinix 7 smartphone, considered proceeds of criminal activity, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.