Ireland Case No. 3493Directing a criminal organisation, money laundering, conspiracy to launder money, using a false instrument · Co. Dublin
Ejike Francis Ogbuefi and Steven Silvester jailed for directing money-laundering syndicate
Ejike Francis Ogbuefi, 42, and Steven Silvester, 32, were sentenced to nine years and 7½ years respectively at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 March 2026 after being convicted of directing a criminal organisation and multiple money-laundering offences in a worldwide syndicate.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEvidence suggested both men were receiving requests, often from phone numbers in Nigeria, to launder money from different types of frauds. (irishtimes.com)
- whereOgbuefi lives at Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12. (irishtimes.com)
- whereSilvester lives at the Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda investigation looked at various bank accounts, transactions and online communications. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeOgbuefi was convicted of directing the activities of a criminal organisation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeOgbuefi was convicted of 32 counts of money laundering. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeOgbuefi was convicted of seven counts of conspiracy to launder money. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSilvester was convicted of five counts of money laundering. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSilvester was convicted of two counts of attempted money laundering. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSilvester was convicted of four counts of conspiracy to launder money. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeSilvester was convicted of one count of using a false instrument. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan imposed the sentences. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSeoirse Ó Dúnlaing was prosecuting. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceOgbuefi was sentenced to nine years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSilvester was sentenced to 7½ years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth defendants had no previous convictions in Ireland or another jurisdiction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOgbuefi is from Nigeria. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSilvester arrived in Ireland in 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth men were assessed to be above mule herders and money mules, with Ogbuefi having a more active role. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Mar2026‘Colonel’ and ‘major’ of global money-laundering ring jailed
Reports the sentencing of two convicted men for directing a worldwide money-laundering syndicate, with Ogbuefi receiving nine years and Silvester 7½ years.
convicted, Ejike Francis Ogbuefi, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ejike Francis Ogbueficonvicted, Steven Silvester, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Steven Silvester