Justice A. A. Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State has sentenced five convicts to various prison terms for internet fraud-related offences.
The convicts are Justine Chikeleze Onyedikachukwu, David Udoka Okafor, Godwin Favour Udoh, Ifeanyi Franklin Ogobue and Chinedu Mukolu Obed.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 16.
According to the statement, the Lagos Zonal Command of the commission arraigned the convicts on July 12, 2024, on separate charges bordering on money laundering, contrary to Section 18 (2) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same law and Impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (iv) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2022.)
They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Okongwu Ebuka and Ridwan Alabi, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
Delivering judgment, Justice Okeke sentenced Onyedikachukwu to two months imprisonment on each of the counts and the sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge ordered that the iPhone 12 mobile phone and Samsung laptop computer recovered from him were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Okafor was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment on count one of money laundering and three months on count two of impersonation, while the sentences are to run concurrently.
He was also ordered to forfeit the iPhone 12 pro max and iPhone 11 recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Udoh was also convicted and sentenced to one month imprisonment on each of the counts and the sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone XS Max to the Federal Government.
The judge also sentenced Ogobue to two months imprisonment on count one and two months on count two, and the sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Okeke also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
During his trial, Obed pleaded “guilty” to the amended two counts of money laundering and impersonation.
Though he was discharged on count one of money laundering, he was convicted on count two bordering on impersonation and sentenced to two months imprisonment.
The judge ordered that his iPhone 12 Pro Max be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.