By Day Oluokun/Abuja
Thirty-six (36) internet fraudsters were sentenced to eight months imprisonment each after they pleaded guilty to separate charges including impersonation, obtaining by false pretenses and possessing fraudulent documents brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Has been. EFCC.
The internet fraudsters were arraigned by Dele Oyewale of the anti-corruption agency before a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement.
are guilty; Eze Sampson Chukwuebuka, Omeke Chibuzo Emmanuel, Igwebuike Joseph, Ogbu Emmanuel, Kelvin Ngozi, Nkwegu Jideofor, Obinna Okafor, Francis Destiny, Chisom Okorie, Ugo Kingsley Obinna, Alek Sunday, Oga Elochukwu, Chingorom Obeta Callistus, Eze Chinedu, Nworgu Thankgod, Ogie Gideon Chidubem, Ebina Monday Ernest, Onyedikachi Ugo, Nwadozi Cyrian Chibueze, Chukwu Mathias, Emmanuel Ezembu and Eze Chibueze Kingsley.
Others are, Obinna Anozie, Okpala Chidera, Wisdom Chibuaje, Gabriel Leonard Chinamerem, Orji Igwe Precious, Ifeanyi Ezogu, Christian Egbu, Ade Chukwu, Moses Cletus Alloway, Chukwu Daniel, Ngiri Eugene Tochukwu, Peter Emmanuel Chibuike, Gideon Ngozi and Chidera Emmanuel Okpe ,
The culprits were arrested on November 1, 2024 at various locations in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State following actionable intelligence linking them to cyber crime activities. After the arrest, investigation revealed that the culprits were experts in cheating foreign nationals by using fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.
The charge against Jideofor reads: “That you, Nkewegu Jideofor (22) fraudulently impersonated Timmy Daniel, an alien, by means of your iPhone at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the year 2024 Did.” XR phone with IMEI number 356432106483386 through fake social media account from unsuspecting foreign nationals with the intention of obtaining benefits for themselves and thereby violating section 22(2)(b)(i) of Cyber ​​Crime (Prohibition) and (ii) Committed an offense contrary to. , Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (Amended 2024) and is punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.

The charge against Egbu reads: “You, Christian Egbu (24), at some time in the year 2024, at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently obtained through your Techno Pop 8 Impersonated an Onanazun via fake WhatsApp with IMEI number 354373887340823 from Lars, a foreign national. Received a sum of €500 (five hundred Euros) for his own benefit and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 22(2)(b) i) and (ii) of the Cyber ​​Crime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024) ) and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.
When the charges were read to the convicts separately, they pleaded guilty and taking into account their pleas, the lawyer to the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, prayed the court to convict them and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defense counsel; Michael Ifeanyi Oduh, Nwatarli James, Okeke Bernard and Joel Ugwule prayed the court to grant mercy to justice, saying their clients were first-time offenders.
After hearing both sides, Justice Anadike convicted them and sentenced each to eight months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N70,000.00 (Seventy Thousand Naira). The court also ordered that the devices used in committing the crimes, including his mobile phones and laptops, be confiscated to the federal government.
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