A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley to seven years in prison for defrauding an American woman, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, of $205,238. The conviction, secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was announced on October 29, 2026, by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who ordered that Kingsley serve his sentence at Kuje Correctional Centre without the option of a fine.

Kingsley faced two counts of obtaining money under false pretenses and possession of a document containing false pretenses, linked to a fictitious contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The court found that he had misled Sayers into believing that the funds were necessary to secure a government contract, despite knowing the claims were false.

During the proceedings, Sayers testified that she first encountered Kingsley on Facebook, where he reached out to her on her birthday, claiming to share a spiritual connection. Their online relationship quickly evolved into a romantic one, which led her to trust him. Kingsley allegedly convinced her to send money for various reasons, including threats to his life and the need to finance the contract with the government.

Sayers recounted that Kingsley initially requested $15,000, promising to repay her within 45 days. Over time, she transferred approximately $40,000 to him before traveling to Nigeria in March 2022 to meet him. During her two-week stay in Abuja, she continued to send money, believing it would help recover her initial investment.

The American lawyer detailed that Kingsley made numerous requests for additional funds, citing emergencies and other expenses related to the supposed government contract. She estimated that over a 12-month period, she transferred well over $200,000 to him through more than 125 transactions.

In court, Sayers presented evidence of her financial interactions with Kingsley, including claims that he had attempted to transfer money back to her but was thwarted by bank issues related to alleged government fund misappropriation. Kingsley even asked her for funds to secure his release from detention, further complicating her situation.

The EFCC's counsel, Fatsuma Muhammad, urged the court to impose a strict sentence on Kingsley, emphasizing the severity of his fraudulent actions. Justice Kekemeke ultimately agreed, finding Kingsley guilty and imposing a concurrent seven-year sentence on each count of fraud.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of internet fraud and its devastating impact on victims, particularly those who may be vulnerable to emotional manipulation. The EFCC continues to combat such crimes, reinforcing the message that fraudulent activities will face serious legal consequences.