Tuesday, March 5, 2024, saw the conviction and sentencing of 27 internet fraudsters by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in front of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court located in Awka, Anambra State.
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.
Others 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.
After entering guilty pleas to one-count separate offenses pertaining to fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretense, they were placed in jail.
The charge against Okechukwu reads: “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”.
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Michael Ikechukwu Ani, the prosecution’s attorney, examined the case facts in light of the defendants’ pleas and asked the judge to find them guilty and impose the appropriate punishment. On the other hand, defense attorneys James Nwatarali and Okeke Bernard pleaded for their clients’ leniency.
Justice Dimgba thereafter convicted and sentenced them as follows; Marvin was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of ₦120,000,00 (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 ₦50,000.00( Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service while the rest were handed 1year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of ₦150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and community service.
Additionally, Judge Dimgba mandated that any cell phones retrieved from them be turned over to the federal government.
When they were taken into custody for offenses relating to the internet, they were all sentenced to prison. They faced charges and were imprisoned.
