Joseph Bakare
The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have secured the conviction and sentence of 24( Twenty-four) internet fraudsters before Justice H. I. O. Oshomah of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The convicts are; Chidiebere Franklin Anozie, Odo Nelson, Osunkwo Chibuike Stanley, Nwaibo Emmanuel Ogbaga, Obinna Ohazurume Bethel, Ugochukwu Daniel Emeziem, Timothy Chimobi Ngwuezumba, Victor Ebuka Nwaogu, Chimaobi Valentine Ugoji, Eke Emmanuel Udochukwu, Chimere Godson Ojinnaka, David Nwachukwu and Emmanuel Chinemerem Agbaraji.
Others include; Ayoka Promise Mmesoma, Philip Ikechukwu Izuogu, Precious Chinemerem Nwogu, Stanley Chibueze Nwachukwu, Kelly Nwankwo, Anthony Chidozie Uwadiegwu, Udeagha Kenneth Chinedu, Kelechi Charles Omoha, Ibina Solomon Chisom, Victor Abonu and Ikenna Daniel.
They were convicted after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
One of the separate charges reads: “That you, Osunkwo Chibuike Stanley, sometime in May, 2024 in Owerri, Imo State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Dahunsi Esther, a female foreigner from the United Kingdom through a fake Facebook account, via your LG G7 with imei no 357262090591648 with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and in order to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.
All the convicts pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them separately. In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Chikezie Raymond Edozie prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, defence counsel, E. J Nwatarali prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convicts “have learnt their lessons and are remorseful”.
After listening to both sides, the Justice Oshomah convicted and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine of N150, 000, 00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). The convicts also bagged six months Community Service each.
The judge further ordered that mobile phones recovered from them be auctioned through the Commission and proceeds paid into the Treasury Single Account of the Federation.
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for internet-related offences. They were prosecuted and convicted.