Sunday, September 6, 2026

U.S. prosecutors ask judge to jail Mr Woodberry for 14 years with $8 million restitution to victims

The prosecutors described Mr Woodberry’s offence as “serious” and alleged that the Instagram celebrity “attempted to cause greater harm to victims.”

• June 30, 2023
MR WOODBERRY
MR WOODBERRY

Federal prosecutors on Thursday asked a judge to sentence internet fraudster Olalekan Jacob Ponle, aka Mr Woodberry, to 14 years’ imprisonment for defrauding several U.S. companies of $8 million by engaging in numerous business email compromises (BEC) between January and September 2019.

The sentencing recommendation filed by Morris Pasqual, the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, also requested that Mr Woodberry, an ally of the jailed international scammer, Huspuppi, pay restitution of $8,038,214.99 to victims.

“The government recommends that this court sentence the defendant to 168 months’ imprisonment, which is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a),” the prosecutors said. “The government further recommends that the court order restitution and forfeiture as described above and impose a special assessment of $100.”

The prosecutors described Mr Woodberry’s offence as “serious” and alleged that the Instagram celebrity “attempted to cause greater harm to victims.”

Mr Woodberry, in April, pleaded guilty to the eight-count charge against him and agreed to forfeit the proceeds of the numerous wire frauds, which he committed using the name ‘Mark Kain’, by recruiting at least four money mules while he resided in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The prosecutors also recommended that Mr Woodberry, Known for flaunting his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, forfeit items in the Dubai police custody, such as one Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.

Also, he is to forfeit three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, about $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and approximately $15.45 in South African rands.

“In addition, the government recommends that the defendant be ordered to forfeit approximately 151.85713138 bitcoin, which constitutes and is derived from proceeds traceable to the offence, that transferred to the government on April 14, 2022,” the prosecutors said.

Mr Woodberry was arrested on June 10, 2020, alongside Hushpuppi, who was jailed for 11 years in the U.S. for internet fraud.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Image used to illustrate the story

States

Troops rescue abducted victims in Nasarawa, Benue

Troops of Whirl Stroke rescued abducted victims in Nasarawa and Benue states.

Image used to illustrate the story

States

Troops ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌⁠‍‍‍‍‌foil terrorist attack, recover arms in Sokoto

The troops of the Nigerian Army foiled a terrorist attack and recovered high-calibre guns and motorcycles in Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State.

Pete Edochie

Showbiz

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie urges preservation of Nigeria’s cultural identity

Mr Edochie said Nigerian culture is built on deeply rooted values of good character and respect for elders, which guide daily life, relationships, and community interactions.

NDLEA arrests suspects

States

NDLEA arrests suspects, recovers illicit drugs in Kogi, Taraba, Lagos

The NDLEA said it recovered 966,200 tablets of Tramadol 225mg worth over N1.1 billion, concealed in a 21-carton consignment from Pakistan, among others.

Robin Morgan

Heading 2

American feminist writer Robin Morgan dies at 85

Credited with coining “herstory” (history from a woman’s perspective), Ms Morgan wrote the popular Sisterhood anthology series and authored over 20 books during her lifetime.

Convicted Mr Dunu

NationWide

NDLEA nabs convicted businessman behind cocaine shipments to Saudi Arabia

The agency said the arrest occurred weeks after it intercepted a 1.2kg cocaine consignment concealed in phone chargers and destined for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.