Court jails fraudster seven years over $205,238 scam
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley to seven years’ imprisonment for defrauding an American lawyer, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, of $205,238 under the false pretence of securing a government contract.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke, sitting at the court in Maitama, delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, sentencing Kingsley to seven years on each of two counts, without the option of a fine.
*Nwachi Kingsley
Etim Ekpimah
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley to seven years’ imprisonment for defrauding an American lawyer, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, of $205,238 under the false pretence of securing a government contract.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke, sitting at the court in Maitama, delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 29, 2026, sentencing Kingsley to seven years on each of two counts, without the option of a fine.
The sentences are to run concurrently at Kuje Correctional Centre. The court also ordered the convict to refund Sayers the full $205,238.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kingsley on a two-count amended charge involving possession of a document containing false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence in connection with a purported contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
One count accused him of possessing a fake notice of intent to award a contract allegedly issued in his name by the ministry. The other accused him of obtaining $205,238 from Sayers by falsely claiming the money was needed to finance a government contract.
How the fraud unfolded
Testifying during the trial, Sayers, an American lawyer based in Oregon, said Kingsley first contacted her on Facebook on her birthday, claiming to belong to the same spiritual organisation as her.
“I know the defendant. The defendant messaged me on Facebook on my birthday and he said he was a member of the same spiritual organisation as me,” she told the court.
She said their conversations developed into a romantic relationship, which led her to trust him and believe his claims.
According to Sayers, Kingsley later asked her for money to secure a contract from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He allegedly claimed that some men were threatening his life because he had failed to provide the money needed to obtain the contract.
She said he sent her details of the purported contract, including a logo and other information, which she believed because of their emotional relationship.
According to Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, said on Thursday in a statement that Sayers told the court that Kingsley initially requested $15,000, promising to repay it within 45 days. She transferred the money through a money transfer application.
She further alleged that Kingsley later introduced her to members of his family during a video call, during which they thanked her for helping him secure the purported contract.
The witness said she had transferred about $40,000 to Kingsley before travelling to Nigeria to meet him in person.
She arrived in Abuja in March 2022 and spent two weeks with him at his rented house in Sun City, according to her testimony. She said she continued the relationship because she hoped to recover her money.
Sayers alleged that Kingsley subsequently demanded more money for various purposes, including medical emergencies, surgery, malaria treatment and supplies for the purported government contract.
She told the court that the transfers involved more than 125 transactions and amounted to well over $200,000 within 12 months.
The witness also said Kingsley showed her a document he claimed proved that he had attempted to transfer $10,000 to her. He allegedly claimed that the bank had intercepted the transaction because the funds were linked to the misappropriation of government money.
According to Sayers, Kingsley further claimed that the issue had led to his arrest and detention, and asked her to provide money for his bail and bribes connected with the purported case.
She said repeated requests for a refund yielded no result. Although Kingsley eventually requested her bank details and promised to repay her the following day, he allegedly failed to do so.
Sayers told the court that she eventually realised he would not return her money.
EFCC seeks conviction
At the close of the prosecution’s case, EFCC counsel Fatsuma Muhammad urged the court to convict and sentence Kingsley in accordance with the law. Justice Kekemeke found him guilty on both counts and imposed the prison terms without the option of a fine. The court also ordered him to restitute the victim $205,238.
