Ini Billie, Uyo
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has sentenced three internet fraudsters to different jail terms for various offences.
The offences bordered on criminal impersonation, internet fraud and possession of fraudulent documents.
According to the Spokesperson, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale in a statement on Monday, the convicts were charged on one count separate charge bordering on cybercrimes.
The convicts, Abraham Itoro Sunday, Ezea Chidera Charles and Udoh Christopher Gabriel were convicted by Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah upon their arraignment by the Uyo Zonal Command of EFCC.
“That you Abraham Itoro Sunday ‘ M’ sometime in 2023 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently impersonate Brian O’ Noel on Facebook with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(I) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section,” the charge read.
They all pleaded guilty to all the charges when it was read to them, and based on their pleas, the prosecution counsels, Enobong Ubokudom and Farida Bukar prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
While delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Onah convicted and sentenced Sunday and Charles to six months imprisonment each with an option of a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only), while Gabriel was given five months jail term with an option of fine of N150,000.00(One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).
The court also ordered that the three smartphones used by the convicts to perpetrate the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC on November 22, 2023, at different locations in Afaha Atai, in Iko Eket Akwa Ibom State. “Investigation showed that all the convicts impersonated foreigners by using their identities to defraud their victims. While Charles fraudulently portrayed himself as ‘Molina Urovsky’ on Facebook, Sunday portrayed himself as Brian O’niel and Gabriel presented himself as Alexander Douglas on Instagram,” the statement read.