The Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced six internet fraudsters to six months of imprisonment each, following their conviction on various charges including criminal impersonation, love scams, and identity theft.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the verdict in a statement posted on Saturday. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu presided over the case, finding the defendants guilty.
The convicted individuals are Chibo Udoka (alias Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo (alias Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey (alias Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (alias Tom Jones), and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal).
One of the charges detailed in the statement read,
Quote
“That you, Otu Ginikachi Samuel (aka Chris Hemsworth) sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court fraudulently presented yourself as Chris Hemsworth (a United States citizen) to Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych (a Ukrainian citizen) on Facebook with fraudulent intent, gaining an advantage of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for yourself, thereby committing the offence of identity theft contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (0) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
Another charge stated,
Quote
“That you, Chibo Udoka Mgborogwu (aka Zoya Andric, Kelly Rose Chimata Harry), sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as ZOYA ANDRIC, KELLY ROSE CHIMATA HARRY on social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram), thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (0) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Amendment Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(b) (iv) of the same Act.”
All defendants pleaded guilty, with the prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud, calling for appropriate sentencing, while defense counsels Udeme Tom, Innocent Ekeize, and Henry Effiong pleaded for leniency, citing the defendants' status as first-time offenders.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, Asogwa Lucas, and John Okpokpo to six months imprisonment on each of the two counts, to run concurrently. Goodluck Bassey and Chibo Mgborogwu were each sentenced to six months on one count.
Each convict was also given the option to pay a fine of N500,000. Additionally, all devices used in their crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Four of the convicts were ordered to make restitution payments: Emediong Bassey, One Thousand Five Hundred Rands (R1500); Otu Samuel, One Million Naira (N1,000,000); John Okpokpo, One Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars ($150); and Asogwa Lucas, One Hundred United States Dollars ($100).
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