Four Land in Jail for Multi-Million Naira Fraud in Kaduna

Kaduna, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced four individuals – Sani Zangina, Ahmed Buhari, Khalifa Muazu Aliyu, and Olasode Abdulganiu – for various fraud-related offenses. The convictions, secured by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), highlight ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes and cybercrime in Nigeria.

The quartet faced separate one-count charges, including money laundering, impersonation, and cybercrime. They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Details of the Cases:

1.Sani Zangina was charged with aiding Ahmad Kabir in retaining proceeds of criminal conduct in 2024. He received a four-year prison sentence or an option of a N200,000 fine. Additionally, Zangina forfeited N200,000 to the federal government as proceeds of his crime.

2.Ahmed Buhari and Khalifa Muazu Aliyu also received four-year prison sentences each or an option of a N200,000 fine. Buhari forfeited N720,000, and Aliyu forfeited N800,000, both being proceeds of their illicit activities.

Zangina, Buhari, and Aliyu’s arrests stemmed from a petition by Taj Bank. The bank alleged that the convicts exploited a system glitch to fraudulently transfer over N1 billion to various banks and fintech platforms through unauthorized means.

ADVERTISEMENT

3.Olasode Abdulganiu (a.k.a. Hannah Jem Wolfie) was charged with fraudulently impersonating a UK citizen, Hannah Jem Wolfie, on Facebook in June 2025. Through this deception, he gained $150 USD from Arabelle Raphael. Abdulganiu was sentenced to three years imprisonment or a N300,000 fine. He also forfeited his iPhone 13 mobile phone, used as a tool for the crime, and the $150 USD he obtained, to the federal government. Abdulganiu was apprehended in Minna, Niger State, following intelligence regarding his fraudulent online activities.

During sentencing, the prosecution counsel, F. A. I. Asemebo, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants, while the defense counsel pleaded for leniency, citing their clients’ remorse. Justice R.M. Aikawa delivered the judgments, emphasizing the need to curb such criminal activities.

This case underscores the EFCC’s commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in financial crimes, whether through traditional means or evolving cyber schemes.