ONITSHA, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Onitsha, Anambra State, has sentenced 41 individuals to one-year imprisonment each for their involvement in Internet fraud.
The court proceedings, which unfolded over two consecutive days, highlighted the ongoing battle against digital fraud in Nigeria.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, announced these convictions through a detailed statement on their official website on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, underscoring the extensive operations conducted by their Enugu Zonal Command.
The offenders were apprehended and charged with a variety of crimes including obtaining money by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, impersonation, and aiding in crime.
“A Federal High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, and presided over by Justices S. M. Shuaibu and Hauwa Inuwa have convicted and sentenced 41 internet fraudsters to one-year imprisonment, each,” the EFCC’s statement read.
“The convicts were jailed after they pleaded guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, personation, and aiding in committing an offence upon arraignment.”
Justice Inuwa presided over the sentencing of 27 individuals on Thursday, May 2, while Justice Shuaibu sentenced the remaining 14 on Friday, May 3.
The latter group was offered an alternative to their prison term, with the option to pay a ₦100,000 fine each.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court imposed community service requirements and ordered the auctioning of items seized during the arrests, including mobile phones and laptops.
These items are to be sold by the EFCC, with the proceeds directed into Nigeria’s Treasury Single Account.
The convicts, whose ages and specific roles in the fraud schemes vary widely, include individuals namely, Douglas James, Raphael Uwakwe, Paul Kalu, Chisom Linus, Chiemezie Nweke, Eze Stanley, Ndubuisi Nwafor, Ifeanyi Samuel, Nwosu Chukwuemeka, Madueke Emmanuel, Edozie Timothy, Ahmed Lukman, Godwin Julius, Okafor Chiemerie, Ugochukwu Ena, Chukwuemeka Obiji, Chimaobi Gabriel, Abonyi Jude, Chiemelie Christian, and Okafor Desmond.
According to the EFCC, other include Jezreel Arihiakamah Chinwendu, Paul Okereke Chiadi, Peter Chidera Iwu, Onyeji Victor Chinecherem, Tochukwu Eze Solomon, Fred Chidera Okoye, Ezema Chiemerie Stanley, Emeka Ogbonna Daniel, Obinna Stanley Okafor, Udochukwu Peter Nnaewezie, Ebuka Johnson Olu, Okochi Ebuka Stanley, Promise Ogbodo Echezona, Ebuka Chukwu Joshua, Chisom Henry Udeagwueze, Ihechi Okechukwu Bright, Chibueze Maxwell Stephen, Ebuka Lucky Nwankwo, Isah Chinonso Peter, Ifeanyi Oguoke Kingsley, and Chinonso Eze Innocent.
The list reflects a diverse group implicated in these cyber operations.
This case parallels a recent similar action in Edo State, where five individuals were also convicted for internet fraud by the High Court in Benin City, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba.
The consistent enforcement actions by Nigerian courts signal a robust legal framework and a determined effort to curb the menace of internet fraud in the country.
