Two Nigerians, Ejike Francis Ogbuefi and Steven Silvester, described as being heavily linked to the Black Axe international crime syndicate, have been sentenced to prison over a €6 million fraud and money laundering scheme in Ireland.
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According to Raidió Teilifís Éireann, both men were identified as key figures in what the court described as a “worldwide, highly sophisticated money laundering scheme on a breathtaking scale.”
Ogbuefi, 42, of Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, while Silvester, 32, of the Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, Co Kildare, received a seven-and-a-half-year jail term.
They were arrested and charged following a long-running investigation conducted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. Investigations revealed their involvement in laundering over €6 million obtained through various fraudulent schemes, including romance scams and smishing operations, with funds moved through multiple bank accounts.
Both men were later convicted at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a trial concluded in February. The court found that they directed the activities of a criminal organisation operating at a high level.
Ogbuefi was convicted on 32 counts of money laundering and seven counts of conspiracy to launder money. Silvester was convicted on five counts of money laundering, two counts of attempted money laundering, four counts of conspiracy to launder money, and one count of using a false instrument.
Although both defendants had no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere, the court determined that they occupied senior roles within the criminal network. During sentencing, Justice Martin Nolan described them metaphorically as a “colonel and a major” within the syndicate, a characterisation agreed to by Detective Garda Steven Kelly.
The court heard that both men operated above the level of money mules and mule herders, with Ogbuefi playing a more active and central role in coordinating the laundering operations.
In delivering judgment, Justice Nolan stated that the scheme’s primary objective was to secure bank accounts to facilitate the laundering of illicit funds, which were clearly proceeds of criminal activity. He noted that unidentified third parties suffered losses as a result of the fraud.
The judge further observed that both men demonstrated a strong understanding of the banking system and exploited its weaknesses, sometimes successfully, to carry out their operations.
Describing money laundering as a serious and persistent problem, the judge emphasised that such schemes rely heavily on access to bank accounts, noting: “These bank accounts are absolutely necessary for all fraud, because monies have to come to earth somewhere.”
He added that although there was a reasonable likelihood the defendants might not reoffend, the court could not be certain, necessitating custodial sentences.
Evidence presented during trial showed that the defendants received instructions, often from phone numbers traced to Nigeria, directing them to move funds derived from different types of fraud.
Detective Garda Kelly, under cross-examination, acknowledged that Ogbuefi is Nigerian and comes from a law-abiding family. It was also established that Silvester became involved in the criminal activities after relocating to Ireland in 2015 and did not display signs of extravagant wealth.
Defence counsel for both men urged the court to consider mitigating factors, including their remorse and acceptance of the jury’s verdict. Testimonials were also presented on their behalf.
Ogbuefi’s counsel described him as someone “appointed to a position of local authority in a wider organisation,” while Silvester’s lawyer argued that his client was vulnerable and under pressure at the time, having fallen into criminal conduct despite not originally intending to engage in such activities.
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