Abuja Court Sentences Man to Seven Years for Defrauding American Woman of $205,238

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley for defrauding an American woman, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, of $205,238 under false pretence.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, sentenced Kingsley to seven years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts preferred against him, without an option of fine.
The sentences are to run concurrently at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. The court also ordered the convict to refund the victim the sum of $205,238.
Kingsley was prosecuted by the EFCC on a two-count amended charge bordering on 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 of the charges involved a fake notice of intent to award a contract, allegedly issued in his name by the ministry. The second count accused him of obtaining $205,238 from Sayers after falsely claiming that the money was needed to finance a government contract.
During the trial, Sayers, an American lawyer based in Oregon, United States, told the court that Kingsley first contacted her through Facebook on her birthday, claiming to belong to the same spiritual organisation as her.
She explained that their conversations eventually developed into a romantic relationship, which made her trust him and believe his claims.
According to the witness, Kingsley later requested financial assistance to facilitate the award of a government contract, claiming that some individuals were threatening his life because he had failed to provide the money required to secure the deal.
Sayers said Kingsley provided details of the purported contract, including a logo and other documents, which convinced her to send him money.
She told the court that his initial request was for $15,000, with a promise to repay the money within 45 days. She transferred the funds through a money transfer application.
The witness further disclosed that Kingsley introduced her to members of his family during a video call, where they allegedly appreciated her for helping him secure the purported contract.
She said she had transferred about $40,000 before travelling to Nigeria in March 2022 to meet him. She subsequently spent two weeks at his rented apartment in Sun City, Abuja.
Sayers alleged that Kingsley continued demanding money for different purposes, including medical emergencies, surgeries, malaria treatment and supplies for the supposed government contract.
According to her, the transactions exceeded 125, with the total amount transferred running well above $200,000 within 12 months.
She also told the court that Kingsley later presented a document claiming he had attempted to refund $10,000 but that the bank had intercepted the transaction because the money was allegedly connected to the misappropriation of government funds.
He reportedly claimed that the development had led to his arrest and detention and subsequently asked her to provide money for his bail and alleged bribes.
Sayers said she repeatedly demanded a refund but Kingsley failed to honour his promise to repay the money.
At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, EFCC counsel, Fatsuma Muhammad, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant in accordance with the law.
In his judgment, Justice Kekemeke found Kingsley guilty on both counts and imposed the seven-year concurrent prison terms without an option of fine.