Tuesday May 13, 2025 |
Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Oghoghorie Dugbo of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar have convicted and sentenced nine individuals for various internet-related offences.
The convicts, Nsofor Charles Ochiabutor, Aneikan Monday Akpan, Igwe Greg, Ubong Emmanuel, Columba Chukwubuikem David, Edet Christopher Asuquo, Justice Chinonso, David Sunday Aniete, and Fidelis Andrew Effiom, were prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They faced separate charges including obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, money laundering, and impersonation.
According to a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency on Monday, May 12, the offences were in violation of various sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The statement reads: “Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Oghoghorie Dugbo of the Federal High Court Calabar have convicted and sentenced nine fraudsters to jail.
“The convicts are: Nsofor Charles Ochiabutor, Aneikan Monday Akpan, Igwe Greg, Ubong Emmanuel and Columba Chukwubuikem David. Others are: Edet Christopher Asuquo, Justice Chinonso, David Sunday Aniete and Fidelis Andrew Effiom.
“They were prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate charges, bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, money laundering and impersonation.
“They pleaded ‘guilty’ to their charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin and Khamis Mahmud prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while defence counsel Udeme Tom, David Akpanifum and Emmanuel Nsebe prayed the court for leniency.
“Justice Ijeoma convicted and sentenced Ochiabutor to 12 months imprisonment on each of the two-count charges or to pay N1million (One Million Naira) fine. In addition, he was ordered to restitute his victim the sum of $3000 (Three Thousand USD). His jail terms are to run concurrently.
“She convicted and sentenced Akpan, Greg and David to 12 months imprisonment on each of their two-count charges. Their jail terms are to run concurrently. David in addition is to restitute the sum of $1,800 USD (One Thousand, Eight Hundred Dollars) to his victim. Emmanuel bagged six months imprisonment on his one-count charge.
“Justice Dugbo convicted and sentenced Asuquo, Chinonso, Aniete and Effiom to two years imprisonment each with option of fines. In addition, they forfeited $300, $180 and $1,300, respectively to the federal government.”
