The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made a significant breakthrough in its fight against cybercrime with the conviction and sentencing of Ikemesit Edet, the proprietor of an Uyo Cybercrime Training Centre known as "Hustle Kingdom (HK)." The verdict was handed down on April 17, 2024, by the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC.
Edet, popularly known as Hustle Kingdom, faced charges related to impersonation, love scams, hacking/editing of social media accounts, and private criminal tutoring. The court found him guilty on two counts:
- Permitting the use of his premises as a cybercrime academy, where he recruited and taught young Nigerians cybercrime techniques.
- Possession of proceeds totaling Fifteen Million Naira (₦15,000,000.00), known to be derived from cybercrime activities.
Edet pleaded guilty to both counts, prompting the prosecution counsel to request the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. The defence counsel, however, sought leniency in sentencing.
Justice Ojukwu handed down a sentence of five years' imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N2 million fine for each count. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all exhibits recovered from Edet, including 13 laptops, a Toyota Corolla, a Lexus Jeep RX 300, and land measuring about 3,080.25 square meters.
The case against Edet began on January 22, 2024, when EFCC investigators arrested 10 suspects at his Cybercrimes Training Centre in Uyo. Subsequently, all suspects were charged and convicted, marking a significant victory in the EFCC's ongoing battle against cybercrime.
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