Convicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 41 internet fraudsters have been sentenced to one year in prison each, with the option of paying a fine of N100,000.00.
These judgments were pronounced by the Federal High Court in Onitsha, Anambra State, under the oversight of Judges S. M Shuaibu and Hauwa Inuwa.
After pleading guilty to various charges such as obtaining money under false pretenses, possessing fraudulent documents, impersonation, and aiding in committing offenses, the individuals were incarcerated.
The charges were brought against them by the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC.
Among the defendants are individuals like Douglas James, Raphael Chikezie Uwakwe, Paul Chidera Kalu, and several others.
The court case highlighted a particular instance, stating, “You, Uwakwe Chikezie Raphael, in 2024 in Onitsha, Anambra State, impersonated the identity of Everly Ruby through a Google account with the intent of defrauding unsuspecting foreigners, thereby committing an offense under the Cybercrime Act of 2015.”
All 41 defendants admitted their guilt when the charges were presented, leading to a request from EFCC’s counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, for the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
In contrast, defense counsels Wisdom Ogbonna, Bernard Okeke, James Nwatarali, and Arinze Anyigo pleaded for leniency and mercy in the sentencing, emphasizing their clients’ remorse for their actions.
The sentencing was split, with 27 convicts being sentenced on May 2, 2024, and the remaining 14 on May 3, 2024, by Justice Inuwa.
The judges also mandated that the convicts engage in community service as part of their punishment, in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act’s Section 462. Additionally, they ordered the auctioning of confiscated items like mobile phones and laptops, with proceeds directed to the Treasury Single Account through the EFCC.