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.
