The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the Enugu Zonal Command has secured the conviction and sentencing of twenty-five 25 internet fraudsters.
The fraudsters were convicted by Justice Nnamdi Dimkpa of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the state capital.
They were jailed on Friday, October 13, 2023, after pleading guilty to one count bordering on criminal impersonation.
Those convicted are: Kingsley Chekwubechukwu Ngwu, Anthony Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Onyia Chukwuka Christian, Chukwuneke Chibuike Nicholas, Nonso Henry Ozoekwe, John Samuel, Okpe Matthew Chinwake, Kalu Nnachi, Okpe Joachim, Obike Ebuka Boniface, Eze Onyedikachi Kingsley, Ogonna Samuel Okpataku.
Others: Denis Chigozie, Emmanuel Johnson, Basil Nnaluo Jason, Chidera Shedrack Ugwueke, David Chimeri Ukeje, Christian Nnamdi Jideofor, Osinachi Johnson, Okechukwu Ezeka, Onuora Johnson, Ekene Christian Obikezi, Emmanuel Chinonso Alec, Sopuluchukwu Paul Eneje and Okechukwu Joshua Ona. .
One of the charges reads: “You, Chukwuneke Chibuike Nicholas, sometime in the year 2023 in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Elizabeth Olsen using your iPhone 12 Pro through a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for himself and to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby commit an offense contrary to Section 22(3)(a) and (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable in accordance with section (22). (4) the same Law.”
All 25 defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Based on their petitions, EFCC lawyers: Ani Michael and Rotimi Ajobiwe asked the court to find them guilty and sentence them accordingly.
Judge Dimkpa thereafter convicted and sentenced 22 of them to two years imprisonment each with an option of a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) while Ona, Aleke and Nnachi were cautioned and detained at the court premises for eight hours before they were released.