In a significant legal development, Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, handed down convictions and sentences to ten individuals on separate one-count charges related to internet fraud. The convictions were secured by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The convicted individuals, who were arrested at various locations in Makurdi for their alleged involvement in cybercrime, assumed false identities to deceive unsuspecting victims into fraudulent online relationships. The charges against them were varied and included fraudulent schemes designed to extract money from victims through deceitful means.
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The convicted individuals are as follows:
1. Ikyegh Senenge Bobo
– Convicted for sending an electronic message to defraud a foreign national.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone 13 Pro, Pontiac Vibe 2009 model car, and two plots of land to the Federal Government.
2. Anum Cyprian Sesugh
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone 11 Pro Max to the Federal Government.
3. Boniface Udoo Aondofa
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N200,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone 7 to the Federal Government.
4. Utor Stanley Torkuma
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N200,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone to the Federal Government.
– Ordered to pay N97,900 in restitution to the victim.
5. Obande Emmanuel
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N100,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone 14 Pro Max to the Federal Government.
6. James Ekere
– Convicted for fraudulent electronic messages to banks.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N100,000.00 fine.
7. Tony Ochekwu Moda
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N1,000,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone 3 to the Federal Government.
8. Ochaje James
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit one iPhone 6 and one Hp laptop to the Federal Government.
9. Shadrach Ugbu Aondona
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N300,000.00 fine.
– Ordered to forfeit an iPhone XR to the Federal Government.
10. Odumu Michael
– Convicted for internet fraud.
– Sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a N200,000.00 fine.
These sentences serve as a stern warning against fraudulent online activities, reaffirming the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to combat cybercrime and protect potential victims. The convicted individuals will face the consequences of their actions while the assets seized will be returned to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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