A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, has convicted and sentenced thirty-six (36) internet fraudsters to eight months imprisonment each.
According to a statement by the Spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, “the convicts were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.
“The convicts are; Eze Sampson Chukwuebuka, Omeke Chibuzo Emmanuel, Igwebuike Joseph, Ogbu Emmanuel, Kelvin Ngozi, Nkwegu Jideofor, Obinna Okafor, Francis Destiny, Chisom Okorie, Ugo Kingsley Obinna, Aleke Sunday, Oga Elochukwu, Chinagorom Obeta Calistus, Eze Chinedu, Nworgu Thankgod, Ogi Gideon Chidubem, Ibina Monday Ernest, Onyedikachi Ugo, Nwadozie Cyrian Chibueze, Chukwu Matthias, Emmanuel Ezembu, and Eze Chibueze Kingsley.
“Others are, Obinna Anozie, Okpala Chidera, Wisdom Chibueze, Gabriel Leonard Chinemerem, Orji Igwe Precious, Ifeanyi Ezeogu, Christian Egbu, Ede Chukwu, Moses Cletus Aloy, Chukwu Daniel, Ngiri Eugene Tochukwu, Peter Emmanuel Chibuike, Gideon Ngozi and Chidera Emmanuel Okpe.
“The charge against Jideofor reads: “That you, Nkwegu Jideofor (22) sometime in the year 2024 at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Timmy Daniel, a foreigner by means of your IPhone XR phone with IMEI number 356432106483386 via fake social media account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
The charge against Egbu reads: “That you, Christian Egbu (24) sometime in the year 2024 at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Onanazun from Vietnam by means of your Tecno Pop 8 phone with IMEI number 354373887340823 via fake Whatsapp in which you gained the sum of €500 (Five Hundred Euros) to the advantage of yourself from one Lars, a foreign national and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
The convicts pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them separately and in view of their pleas, EFCC counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defence counsels; Michael Ifeanyi Oduh, Nwatarali James, Okeke Bernard and Joel Ugwuele prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that their clients were first-time offenders.
After listening to both sides, Justice Anyadike convicted and sentenced them to eight months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N70, 000. 00 (Seventy Thousand Naira). The court also ordered that instruments used in committing the crime which include their mobile phones and laptops be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts were arrested on November 1, 2024, at different locations of Abakaliki , Ebonyi State following actionable intelligence linking them to cybercrimes activities. Upon arrest, investigations revealed that the convicts specialized in defrauding foreign nationals using fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.