By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Command has secured the conviction and sentencing of twenty five (25) internet fraudsters before Justice Nnamdi Dimkpa of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
They were jailed on Friday, October 13, 2023 after pleading guilty to one –count separate charge bordering on impersonation.
The Convicts are; Kingsley Chekwubechukwu Ngwu, Anthony Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Onyia Chukwuka Christian, Chukwuneke Chibuike Nicholas, Nonso Henry Ozoekwe, John Samuel, Okpe Matthew Chinweike, Kalu Nnachi, Okpe Joachim, Obike Ebuka Boniface, Eze Onyedikachi Kingsley, Ogonna Samuel Okpataku.
Others are: Denis Chigozie, Emmanuel Johnson, Basil Nnaluo Jason, Chidera Shedrack Ugwueke, David Chimerie Ukeje, Christian Nnamdi Jideofor, Osinachi Johnson, Okechukwu Ezeka, Onuorah Johnson, Ekene Christian Obikezie, Emmanuel Chinonso Aleke, Sopuluchukwu Paul Eneje, and Okechukwu Joshua Onah.
One of the count charges reads; “that you Chukwuneke Chibuike Nicholas sometime in 2023 in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Elizabeth Olsen by means of your iphone 12 pro via a,fake facebook account with intend to gain advantage for yourself and to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and 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.
All the 25 defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. Based on their pleas, EFCC’s counsels: Ani Michael and Rotimi Ajobiewe prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Dimkpa thereafter convicted and sentenced 22 of them to two years imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only while Onah, Aleke and Nnachi were cautioned and detained in the court premises for eight hours before they were released.
All the convicts made their ways to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested for internet-related offences. They were charged to court and convicted.