An Abuja High Court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, to seven years in prison for defrauding an American lawyer of $205,238 through a fraudulent relationship and a fictitious Federal Government contract. The court also ordered him to refund the entire amount to his victim, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, an attorney based in Oregon, United States.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, October 29, 2026, by Justice U.P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, followed a prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Kingsley was convicted on two counts involving possession of a document containing false pretence and obtaining money under false pretence. Both offences were connected to a purported contract allegedly awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
In addition to the seven-year prison sentence without an option of fine, the court directed the defendant to restitute the full $205,238 to Sayers. The sentences are to run concurrently at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The case has brought renewed attention to the dangers of online relationship scams, particularly schemes in which fraudsters exploit emotional connections and fabricated business opportunities to obtain money from unsuspecting victims.
How a Facebook Message Developed Into a Costly Relationship
During the trial, Sayers explained how she first encountered Kingsley on social media.
According to her testimony, the defendant contacted her through Facebook on her birthday and claimed that they belonged to the same spiritual organisation. What initially appeared to be an ordinary social media interaction gradually developed into regular communication.
She told the court that their conversations eventually turned into a romantic relationship, creating a level of trust that influenced her decision to send him money.
“I know the defendant. The defendant messaged me on Facebook on my birthday and he said he was a member of the same spiritual organization as me,” Sayers told the court.
She explained that Kingsley later introduced her to what he described as a lucrative government contract, claiming that he needed financial assistance to carry out the project.
The alleged business opportunity became the basis for repeated financial requests, with Sayers believing that the money she provided would eventually be returned.
The Initial $15,000 Loan That Started the Financial Transactions
Sayers testified that Kingsley’s first major financial request was for $15,000. He reportedly promised to repay the money within 45 days.
Trusting his assurances, she sent the funds through a money transfer application.
However, the initial transaction was followed by additional requests. According to her account, she had transferred approximately $40,000 to Kingsley before deciding to travel to Nigeria to meet him in person.
The American lawyer arrived in Abuja in March 2022 and reportedly spent two weeks with the defendant at his rented residence in Sun City.
Despite the growing financial concerns, Sayers said she continued the relationship, partly because she hoped to recover the money she had already transferred.
Her testimony suggested that the personal relationship and the promises surrounding the supposed government contract became closely connected, making it difficult for her to separate the romantic involvement from the financial arrangement.
Fake Federal Government Contract Used to Obtain More Money
At the centre of the EFCC case was an alleged fraudulent contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
One of the charges against Kingsley concerned a notice of intent to award a contract that was allegedly issued in his name by the ministry.
The second count related to his claim that he required financial assistance to fund the purported government project.
According to the prosecution’s case, the document and the claims surrounding the contract were used to create the impression that Kingsley had secured a legitimate business opportunity requiring additional capital.
Sayers told the court that she continued sending money as the defendant presented different reasons for needing financial assistance.
These requests reportedly included expenses relating to medical emergencies, surgeries, malaria treatment and supplies allegedly required for the government contract.
Over time, the transactions became increasingly frequent.
The witness estimated that she completed more than 125 separate transactions over approximately 12 months, transferring well over $200,000 in total.
The prosecution ultimately established the amount involved in the case at $205,238.
More Than 125 Transfers and a Series of Alleged Excuses
Sayers’ testimony also revealed how the financial requests allegedly continued even after she had transferred substantial sums.
She told the court that Kingsley repeatedly presented circumstances that supposedly required urgent financial support.
Apart from the expenses connected to the purported contract, he allegedly requested money for medical treatment and other emergencies.
On another occasion, according to her testimony, Kingsley presented a document that he claimed showed an attempted transfer of $10,000 to her.
He allegedly explained that the bank had intercepted the transaction because the money was connected to the misappropriation of government funds.
The explanation reportedly introduced another layer of complications into the situation.
Sayers further alleged that Kingsley subsequently asked her for money to secure bail and pay bribes connected to the purported criminal case.
These claims formed part of the evidence she presented while explaining how she continued making payments despite the growing uncertainty surrounding the promised government contract and repayment arrangements.
American Lawyer Says Promised Refund Never Arrived
As the transactions continued, Sayers said she repeatedly asked Kingsley to return the money she had sent.
According to her testimony, the defendant eventually requested her bank details and promised to transfer the outstanding amount the following day.
However, the promised repayment never materialised.
Sayers told the court that the failure to return the money eventually convinced her that Kingsley had no intention of refunding the funds.
The situation ultimately led to legal action, with the EFCC prosecuting the defendant over the alleged fraudulent transactions and the document connected to the purported government contract.
Her evidence provided the court with an account of how the relationship began, how the financial requests developed and how the repeated promises of repayment allegedly failed to materialise.
EFCC Urges Court to Convict Defendant
At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, EFCC counsel Fatsuma Muhammad urged the court to find Kingsley guilty and impose the appropriate punishment under the law.
The prosecution relied on the two charges concerning the possession of a document containing false pretence and the alleged obtaining of money under false pretence.
After considering the case, Justice U.P. Kekemeke found Kingsley guilty on both counts.
The court subsequently sentenced him to seven years in prison without an option of fine.
The judge also ordered him to refund the full $205,238 obtained from Sayers.
Both prison terms are to run concurrently, meaning the sentences will be served at the same time rather than consecutively.
Kingsley is to serve his sentence at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Court Orders Full Refund of the $205,238
Beyond the custodial sentence, the restitution order represents a significant part of the court’s judgment.
By directing Kingsley to repay the entire $205,238, the court recognised the financial loss suffered by Sayers and ordered the convicted defendant to return the money involved in the case.
The judgment concludes an EFCC prosecution centred on allegations that a personal relationship and a fabricated government contract were used to obtain large sums of money from an American lawyer.
The case also highlights how social media interactions can develop into elaborate financial schemes, particularly when emotional trust is combined with promises of business opportunities and repeated requests for urgent assistance.
For Sayers, the relationship that began with a birthday message on Facebook ultimately resulted in the loss of more than $200,000 and a lengthy legal process.
With the Abuja High Court now delivering its verdict, Kingsley faces seven years behind bars without the option of a fine, alongside an order to refund the $205,238 at the centre of the case.
