By Anietie Akpan
The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentence of 12 internet fraudsters in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The fraudsters according to a press release dated June 11 by the Media and Publicity unit of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC were convicted by Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.
While Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced 11, namely: Nwaeke Vitalis Ndubisi, Kingsley Goodnews, Inyang Victor, Ekere-Obong Adams, Usang Enang, Ogudu James, Arinze Nelly, David Dede, Ibeawuchi Okwukwechukwu, Prince Samuel Ukpai and Ekpo Peter, Justice Oghoghorie convicted and sentenced Joshua Akpabio.
All the convicts were prosecuted on two-count charges bordering on criminal impersonation on social media platforms with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the society, barring Akpabio, Ukpai and Peter who faced one-count charge, respectively.
According to the press release, the charge against Ndubuisi reads: “That you, Nwaeke Vitamin Ndubuisi “M” sometime in August 2023, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did fraudulently present yourself as Cytal Barton to unsuspecting victims on the social media platform; Facebook with intent to gain advantage for yourself did take possession of the sum of N150,000 knowing that the money forms part of the proceed of an unlawful act to wit; impersonation thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Launder (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”
They all pleaded guilty to their charges when read to them, following which prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin and Mahmud Khamis prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly, while defence counsels, Tom Udeme, Francis Ezike , Innocent Eze and Henry Iyipiyayo prayed the courts for leniency on the ground that the defendants were first time offenders.
After listening to the arguments of both the prosecution and defence counsels, Justice Ojukwu handed Ndubisi, Goodnews, Victor, Adams, Enang, James, Nelly, Dede and Okwukwechukwu six months jail term on each of their two-count charges which is to run concurrently and six months jail term to Peter and Ukpai on their one-count charge, while Akpabio bagged a one year jail term, with the option to pay a N1 million fine from Justice Oghoghorie.
In addition to their jail terms, Adams restituted the sum of $100, Enang $200 and Dede $450 to their victims.
EFCC said the convicts were arrested at different locations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States for internet offence