Court Jails 27 Internet fraudsters in Awka. Image credit: FB
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Command, has successfully by the Federal High court convicted and sentenced 27 internet fraudsters in Anambra.
The Judgement was passed by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria on Tuesday.
According to a report, the convicts are: Ajaero Chidiebube, Kosisochukwu Wisdom Ugwu, Apeh Samuel, Hyacinth Henry, Ebuka Moses Ugwu, Abugu Emmanuel Ebuka, Ogbu George, Onoja Chekwube, Onu Ogbonna Celestine, Ugwude Innocent Ekene, Solomon Emeka Okechukwu, Kosisochukwu Mamah, Idoko Fidelis Ejiofor, David Ifebuche Moses, Jude Ikechukwu, Kosisochukwu Idoko Martins and Victor Odoh Chinecherem. 27 Internet fraudsters
Among others convicted alongside the above mentioned names, as was obtained by the reporter, are Eze Caleb Somtochukwu, Ekeleme Victor, Osuji Kingsley, Eze Sopuruchukwu Marvin, Osuji Nnaemeka, Ikechi David, Ejiogu Chizoba, Arinze John Ojobo, Eze Daniel Chinecherem and Michael Ojo.
The news agency confirmed that these suspects were, after being trialled for the alleged crimes, found guilty and jailed the by the reputable court.
They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, according to the report.
The statement read the charges against the defendant, Okechukwu, : “That you, Solomon Emeka Okechukwu sometime in 2024, at Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Jennifer Alberto from Reading, United Kingdom by means of your Tecno Camon 20 with IMEI number 3551344570732428 via a fake Facebook Social Media Account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.”
It said one of the defendants’ counsel, Okeke Bernard entreated the court’s leniency for their clients.
“In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsels, Okeke Bernard and James Nwatarali, prayed for leniency for their clients,” revealed the statement. 27 Internet fraudsters
“Justice Dimgba thereafter convicted and sentenced them as follows; Marvin was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of N120,000,00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) and community service, Samuel, Henry, Ugwu, Ebuka, Martins and Chinecherem bagged one-year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N50,000.00( Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service while the rest were handed 1year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service.” 27 Internet fraudsters
“Justice Dimgba also ordered that mobile phones recovered from them be forfeited to the Federal Government.”
Court Jails 27 Internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State
