Court Remands 6 Youths Over Alleged Yahoo-yahoo Offences

Six youths who are between the ages of 22 to 26, have been remanded by a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged conspiracy, internet fraud also known as Yahoo-yahoo and fraud.

The six youth remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) on the alleged offences by the court presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji on Friday were: Ayomikum Akinsola, 22; Adetayo Michael, 26; Tiani Nicholars, 22; Obobi Chukwononso, 23; Akerele Oluwaseyi, 23 and 27 years old Stephen Destiny.

They were arraigned before the court on an amended 19 count-charge, but the presiding judge struck out three of the charges due to inability of the prosecution to substantiate them.

Arraigning the suspected ‘yahoo-yahoo boys on Friday, the prosecutor, Barrister Achi Caleb, told the court that the defendants committed the alleges offences on or before September 30, 2024, in Lagos.

Achi told the court that the defendants in a bid to defraud their victim, accesses computer and imputes, alters, or suppresses a face-book account which they used in sending sent electronic messages to their victims.

They were also alleged to have in their possession fetish/charms, coffin containing white calabash, black soap and others, which was reputed to posses power to aid or assist internet fraud [yahoo yahoo].

Among those allegedly swindled by the defendants are; One Christ; Jefry Williams; Cerilo Ciarcia; Tedd Williams; Tricia Wond; Moore Joslynann; Jenifer Juan Johnson and Catherin Hernandez.

The defendants were alleged to have swindled their victims a total sum of $1, 230, 00 USD and €50. Euro.

The defendants offences according to the prosecutor, contravened sections 27(1)(b), 14(2) 13; 14 and punishable under Sections 13 and 14(2) of the Cyber Crime [Prevention Prohibition etc] Act, 2015. And Section 213 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Based on their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked for a trial date as well urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).

However, the defendants’ lawyer, John Oseji, informed the court that he had filed the defendants’ bail application, but the applications are not ripe for hearing, because he just served the prosecutor a copy.

The prosecutor, while admitting that he was just being served with the application, asked the court for a short date to enable him file his response.

Justice Faji, after listening to the prosecutor and defence counsel’s submissions, adjourned the matter to December 11, for hearing of bail application, while their trial is fixed for February 20; 25 and 26 2025.

The judge however ordered that the defendants be remanded at the NCoS’ facility pending hearing and determination of their bail applications.