The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the successful conviction and sentencing of 22 individuals involved in internet fraud. This development was communicated through an official statement shared on the EFCC’s X account on Thursday.
Accompanied by photographs of the suspects, the statement revealed that on November 2, 2023, the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC secured convictions and sentences for 22 individuals before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, located in Awka, Anambra State. These convictions were related to various charges, including impersonation and obtaining money through false pretenses.
The convicted individuals are as follows: 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, 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.
The charges against them ranged from fraudulent impersonation using various digital devices and accounts. For instance, one of the charges against Ayodeji Jerome Olumeko involved fraudulent impersonation of a foreign national using his iPhone 12 Pro and Gmail account. Another charge, against Akpata Sunday Onose, revolved around impersonation on a Facebook account to obtain money through deceit.
All of the accused individuals pleaded guilty to the charges presented to them. Consequently, Justice Dimgba handed down sentences to seventeen of them, sentencing each to two years of imprisonment with community service or an option to pay a fine of N120,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira only). Four other defendants, namely Samuel, Chidiebube Ukaigwe Emmanuel, Nweze, and Chukwuka Emmanuel, were cautioned and assigned community service.
Chibuisi Okpara was cautioned and subsequently discharged. It’s important to note that all these convictions resulted from investigations, prosecutions, and convictions carried out by EFCC operatives in response to internet-related offenses.
