Anambra court sends 22 Internet fraudsters to jail

Glory Ebomah

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on November 2, 2023, secured the conviction and sentencing of 22 (twenty-two) internet fraudsters before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.

They were convicted on separate count charges bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretences.

The convicts are:  Ayodeji Jerome Olumeko, Chima Blessing Afam, Obalim Johndson, Michael Echezona Anyikaeme, Alior Chidera Emmanuel, Chidiebube Ukaigwe Emmanuel, Dim Samuel, Amobi Stanley Ajala, Irobi Kingsley Chiedozie, Oranusi Sylvester Chigozie, Agbo Michael, Chibuisi Okpara.

Others are; Casmir Ibebuogu, Nweze Chinamkpa, Precious Oluebube Chukwuka, Nzube Michael, Chisom Kingsley Mba, Chidera Hedrack Peter, Chukwuka Emmanuel, Chinedu James Nworji, Chukwunansa Igweonu and Akpata Sunday Onose.

One of the charges against  Olumeko read: “That you AYODEJI JEROME OLUMEKO sometime in June 2023 in Ugwuaji, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Scott Herman a foreign National by means of your iPhone 12 pro, through your Gmail account with the intent to gain advantage to yourself a pretence which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes ( Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act. 2015 and punishable under Section (22)(4) of the same Act”

Another charge against Onose reads; “that you AKPATA SUNDAY ONOSE sometime in October 2023 in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Caire Gilliard a white lady on your Facebook account using your Infinix Phone with intend to obtain money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) and punishable under Section (22) (2) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act.2015.

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said all the accused pleaded guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.

Justice Dimgba convicted and sentenced seventeen of the defendants to two years imprisonment, with community service each or an option of a fine of N120,000.00 ( One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira only). Four of the defendants:  Samuel, Chidiebube Ukaigwe Emmanuel, Nweze and Chukwuka Emmanuel were cautioned and given community services.

Only Okpara was cautioned and discharged. All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the EFCC for internet-related offences.  They were investigated, prosecuted and convicted.