Joseph Bakare
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of forty-three (43) internet fraudsters before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
The convicts are; Momoh Victor Abdulkareem, Paul Emmanuel, Adibe Henry, Okoroafor Abuchi Gospel, Ikechukwu Ezra, Oduu Emmanuel Eyinna, Obasi Chibuike, Chimaobi Ogbonna, Nwankwo Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Aluma Chetachukwu Israel, Emeka Umendu, Ebuka Uka, Chikaodili Michael, Oramulu Nwabufor Michael, Obiajulu Philip Sorpuluchukwu, Iwu Ikedichukwu Emmanuel, Akachukwu Temple Odo, Ifeanyi Samuel, Kyrian Chikodili Ugwu and Nathaniel Oforbuike Nwoba.
Others include; Chimezie Stephen Obianaso, Kingsley Chukwuebuka Mmadu, Ebuka Eric Uka, Simon Uchenna, Godswill Francis Blessed, Donatus Chinwendu Anya, Aluma Ogochukwu Michael, Nwankwo Stephen Chijioke, Emmanuel Chijioke Okogwu, Ariwodo Ezemdi Lucious, Chidiebere Uwa, Okeke Joshua Okechukwu, Chinemelu Clinton Ugwu, Tochukwu Sunday Ewa, Iburu Nelson Onyeoma, Nwoko Samuel, Nwokwu Victor Izuchukwu, Benjamin Obiajulu, Kelechi John, Moses Chukwuka Ugwueke, Obinna Christian, Ubagu Daniel Chukwuebuka And Chukwu Emmanuel Nnamdi.
They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges each, bordering on personation, retention of proceeds of crime, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining by false pretence.
The charge against Ikechukwu Ezra read: “That you, Ikechukwu Ezra, sometime in 2024, in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Shirley Fang, a male foreigner and citizen of United Kingdom, through a fake Whatsapp account, via your Redmi 12C with IMEI 861906061467102, with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nations and in order to gain advantage of yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.
The charge against Paul Emmanuel reads: “That you, Paul Emmanuel, sometime in the year 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Chen Dong from China by means of your Tecno 8i phone with IMEI number 353030167612761 via fake google account with the intent to gain advantage of yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prevention, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
They pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read to them separately. In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defence counsel; Ifeanyi Michael Odoh, James Nwatarali, Bernard Okeke and O. C. Abalu prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convicts who are first-time offenders, have become remorseful.
After listening to both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced the convicts to eight months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each except for Nwankwo, Izuchukwu, Eyinna and Ikechukwu who were given two months Community Service, which will be supervised by the Deputy Court Registrar.
Furthermore, the court ordered that items recovered from the convicts which include mobile phones and laptops be auctioned and proceeds paid into the account of the Federal Government.
The suspects were arrested in Abakaliki and Awka following credible intelligence linking them to online criminal activities. Upon arrest, investigations revealed that the convicts impersonated foreign nationals using several social media accounts and duped unsuspecting victims.
