By Izunna Okafor, Awka
No fewer than 34 persons have been convicted by a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, over internet fraud.
Justice Evelyn Anyadike delivered the judgement recently, in Awka, during which she also spelt out the jail term for each of the convicts
Confirming this in a statement made available to newsmen, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), also revealed that the judge ordered that the mobile phones and laptops recovered from the convicts be auctioned and proceeds paid into the Single Treasury Account of the Federation.
According to the statement, “The convicts are; Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu, Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian, Chinonso Stanley Boniface, Nnamani Makuo Paschal, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, Kalu Odeghe Olu, Ikenna Onyebor Maxwell, Fimber Chinedu Ifewuka, Ekeh Callistus Uche, David Chibuike, Chidera Emmanuel Eze, Eberechukwu John Amuka, Okafor Nelson Chinedu, Opara Ifeanyi Nathaniel, Joel Chukwuemeka Amechi, Nnazoba Daniel Ekene, Ikechukwu Prince Gerald, Shedrack Chibueze Ngene and Darlington Odom Oruta.
“Others include; Ifeanyi Celestine Akunwafor, Chinagorom Ifeanyi Destiny, Nwaugo Ifesinachi Paul, Somtochukwu Peter Ogbuefi, Emesurum Chinedu Stanley, Innocent Ikegbunem, Chidiukor Nnamani, Emmanuel Johnson Nwafor, Amuche Solomon Christopher, Ifeanyi Blessed Ikechineke, Eze John Ekene, Akubuogu Henry Kizito, Nwokeji Cosmas Uche, Eze Victor Chigadi and Egah Onyedikachi.”
Continuing, the statement said the suspects were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation, possession of proceeds of crime and obtaining by false pretence.
According to the statement, the charge against Kingsley read “That you, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Erica Clark, a foreign national by means of your HP Elite book 820G3 with serial number 5CG7201TP6 via a fake Facebook account with 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 Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
The statement also said that the charge against Olu reads: “That you, Kalu Odeghe Olu, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently presented yourself as a foreign shipping agent, by means of your Infinix Smart 5 via a fake email account; [email protected] with 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 Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.”
It was gathered that the convicts pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them separately, in view of which the prosecution counsel, Raymond Edozie, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
“However, defence counsels, Benard Okeke, James Nwatarali, and Ifeanyi Odoh pleaded for leniency in sentencing the convicts, adding that the convicts were remorseful.
“After listening to both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced the convicts to eight months Imprisonment each with an option of fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira) except for Valerian and Boniface who were given two months community service, which will be supervised by the Deputy Court Registrar.
“The judge ordered that mobile phones and laptops recovered from the convicts be auctioned and proceeds paid into the Single Treasury Account of the Federation.
“The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested on October 11, 2024 at different locations of Onitsha in Anambra State for internet-related offences. Investigations revealed that while some of the convicts specialized in impersonating foreign shipping agents using numerous fake email addresses, others employed fraudulent skills to scam vulnerable women abroad,” the statement concludes.
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