27 internet fraudster jailed in Anambra

By Madu Obi

The Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced 27 suspected internet fraudster to prison for alleged impersonation.

The sentences were secured by the Enugu Zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The convicts are: Ajaero Chidiebube, Kosisochukwu Wisdom Ugwu, Apeh Samuel, Hyacinth Henry, Ebuka Moses Ugwu, Abugu Emmanuel Ebuka, Ogbu George, Onoja Chekwube, Onu Ogbonna Celestine, Ugwude Innocent Ekene, Solomon Emeka Okechukwu, Kosisochukwu Mamah, Idoko Fidelis Ejiofor, David Ifebuche Moses, Jude Ikechukwu, Kosisochukwu Idoko Martins and Victor Odoh Chinecherem.

Others are; Eze Caleb Somtochukwu, Ekeleme Victor, Osuji Kingsley, Eze Sopuruchukwu Marvin, Osuji Nnaemeka, Ikechi David, Ejiogu Chizoba, Arinze John Ojobo, Eze Daniel Chinecherem and Michael Ojo.

The charge preferred against them read that "sometime in 2024, at Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, you fraudulently impersonated Jennifer Alberto from Reading, United Kingdom by means of your Tecno Camon 20 with IMEI number 3551344570732428 via a fake Facebook Social Media Account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.

The prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, defence counsel, Okeke Bernard and James Nwatarali, prayed for leniency for their clients.

The presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba jailed them after they pleaded guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The Judge convicted and sentenced them as follows; Marvin was sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of fine of N120,000,00 and community service; Samuel, Henry, Ugwu, Ebuka, Martins and Chinecherem bagged one-year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N50,000.00 and community service, while the rest were handed one year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 and community service.

Justice Dimgba also ordered that mobile phones recovered from them be forfeited to the Federal Government.