The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Command, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of four internet fraudsters: Bassey Solomon Samuel, Bassey Ubong John, Eyo Nsikan, and Nzeakor Uchenna before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State.
The defendants pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charges bordering on Impersonation and obtaining by false pretence contrary to the provisions of Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel Seyi Aribido prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Ojukwu convicted the defendants and sentenced them to one-year imprisonment each, with the option to pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) each.
The court also ordered that all instruments used by the defendants in committing the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Samuel, Nsikan and Uchenna were ordered by the court to pay $600, $300, and N700,000 respectively as restitution.