Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has convicted nine young men, said to have involved in internet fraud activities.
The convicts, identified as Daniel Okochukwu Okoh, Onwe Chidera Solomon, Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Malachy Makuochi Adonu, Udeh Collins Chidimma, Ukoro Victor Somto, Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi.
It was gathered that Chidimma and Adonu were arraigned on two-count separate charges while the others were charged with one-count offenses, all related to cybercrimes including identity theft and fraudulent impersonation.
One of the charges read in court stated that Ukoro Victor Somto, aged 21, impersonated a female U.S.-based actress via Telegram using a Samsung S10e device, with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Another charge revealed that Daniel Okochukwu Okoh impersonated a Russian citizen on Instagram using a fake account to deceive a foreign national.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Defence counsel, including B.C. Okeke, Wisdom Ogbonna, C.M. Okafor, and James Nwatarali, pleaded for leniency, citing remorse expressed by the convicts.
Justice Anyadike thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendants as follows: Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Onwe Chidera Solomon got six months’ imprisonment each, with an option of N50,000 fine.
Malachy Makuochi Adonu was sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000, Daniel Okochukwu Okoh was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N50,000 fine, plus two weeks of community service.
Udeh Collins Chidimma was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or N100,000 fine on count one; 18 months or N200,000 fine on count two.
Ukoro Victor Somto was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N200,000 fine, Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N100,000 fine, Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of electronic devices used in committing the crimes, including mobile phones and laptops, by Ani, Chidubem, Collins, and Okoh, to the Federal Government.
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