Court jails 18 cyber fraudsters in Enugu

Etim Ekpimah

The Enugu Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of 18 internet fraudsters before the Federal High Court, Enugu in separate judgments on November 16, 17 and 18, 2021.

They were all convicted on one count of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The convicts are: Mba Rocks, Nzube Arinze and Osude Ebube Sunday.

Others are Kingsley Onyeoji Chukwuemeka, Nwoke Arinze Daniel, Nwobodo Emmanuel, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ojara, Osinachi Charles Chinaza, Ezediegwu Innocent, Chima Bright Ojara, Onochie JohnPaul Arinze, Ude Ifeanyi and Chisom Nworah.

The rest are MacAnthony Ijezie Chibuike, Ali Chiebere Shedrach, Obinna William, Chukwujekwu Michael Nnamdi, Nwokike Arinze Daniel and Johnson Chima Madueke.

Five were convicted on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, and three on Thursday, November 18, 2021 before Justice F.O.G Ogunbanjo; while ten convictions were secured before Justice I.M Buba on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

The charge against one of the defendants reads, “that you, Onochie JohnPaul Arinze sometimes in March 2021, at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, fraudulently impersonated one Martin Lee, a citizen of the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself 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”.

Justice Ogunbanjo sentenced eight of the defendants to two years imprisonment with an option of one million naira fine while Justice Buba sentenced ten others to one-year imprisonment with an option of one million naira fine.

All the convicts are to forfeit their mobile phones to the Federal Government.