Court Jails Five For Internet Fraud In Calabar
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday, July 6, 2023 jailed five fraudsters for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday, July 6, 2023 jailed five fraudsters for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The convicts, Omini Godswill, Ojong Anthony Ojong, Nsikak Essien, Oforji Chijindu and Uche Chinedu, were jailed following their pleas of " guilty" to various charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
While Essien, Chijindu, Chinedu and Godswill were arraigned on separate two-count charges, Ojong was arraigned on one count charge.
In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Adebayo Soares, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsel, Innocent Eze, Treasure Okey and Francis Ezike pleaded for leniency in sentencing the defendants.
After listening to the parties, Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced Essien, Chinedu and Godswill to six months imprisonment on each count with an option of fine of N1million each. Chijindu was sentenced to four months imprisonment on each count with an option of fine of N1million while Ojong bagged six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N1million. The sentences takes effect from the day of their arrest.
Justice Ojukwu further ordered Godswill to restitute $650; Chinedu, N145,000; and Chijindu and Essien $200 each to their victims through the Commission.
The Court also ordered that all instruments used in committing the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC at various locations in Calabar, Cross River State for involvement in cybercrime
Investigations revealed that the convicts used several social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to fraudulently impersonate foreign nationals to defraud their victims.
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