A Nigerian musician, Onomen Uduebor, has been sentenced to three years and four months in a United States federal prison for his role in a $140,000 tax fraud scheme.

Uduebor, also known as Onomen Onohi, was convicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The 39-year-old was extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States in March 2025 after his arrest in September 2023. He pleaded guilty in April 2025.

According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Uduebor participated in a scheme that involved tricking Human Resources departments of companies across the U.S. into releasing W-2 employee tax information. The information was then used to file over 300 fraudulent tax returns claiming more than $1 million in refunds.

Court documents revealed that Uduebor personally filed 150 of the false returns and tracked the refunds, which were paid into accounts opened in the names of the identity theft victims. Although the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intercepted most of the fraudulent claims, approximately $140,000 was paid out, with Uduebor admitting he personally received $10,000.

U.S. District Judge James L. Robart, who sentenced Uduebor in Seattle, described him as playing a “substantial role” in the scheme. The judge said Uduebor “freely participated in the fraud” and should have known better.

Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman said the fraud caused significant harm to companies, employees, and the IRS, with victims suffering financial disruption and emotional stress due to stolen identities and delayed tax refunds.

Uduebor has been ordered to forfeit the $10,000 he earned from the scheme and pay $122,720 in restitution to the IRS.

He is expected to be deported to Nigeria after serving his prison term.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity across the country, warning that Nigerians are losing trust in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI condemned the recent killing of Muslim wedding guests in Plateau State and other violent attacks nationwide.

“The Federal Government should be seen to be proactive on security matters,” the statement said.

“Citizens are becoming more and more agitated, especially with the Mangu carnages. Flashpoints are known, and nothing seems to be done.”

JNI accused security agencies of repeated intelligence failures and said the government must go beyond mere condemnations.

It urged the prosecution of perpetrators of past attacks, especially those responsible for the Plateau incident, to restore public confidence.

“The recurring killings, abductions, and resurgence of Boko Haram are alarming. Government must act decisively, not just form committees,” the group added.

The Islamic body also demanded that the Plateau State Government replace the burnt bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, which was carrying the victims, and called on civil society and legal groups to seek justice for the deceased.

JNI also demanded urgent government action not only on the Plateau killings but also on other deadly attacks, including those in Benue and other parts of the country.

Al-Gharafa striker, Joselu, has urged Real Madrid to stop searching for a new number nine that will lead the team’s attack line in the new 2025/2026 season.

According to Joselu, Gonzalo Garcia is an incredible profile of a good number nine that should lead the attack of Xabi Alonso’s side.

He said this after the 21-year-old led Real Madrid to a 1-0 win against Juventus in the Round of 16 encounter of the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday night.

Garcia scored the game’s only goal, thanks to a brilliant second half header.

Speaking about Garcia, Joselu, a former Real Madrid striker said ( via MadridXtra): “Gonzalo? The search for a number nine should stop.

“We have found an incredible profile,” he added.

Garcia was promoted to Real Madrid’s first team from the club’s Castilla (Real Madrid B) in 2023.