Calabar and Uyo Courts Jail Four Internet Fraudsters

Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State respectively have convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts are: Abasiama Edet Ukana, Oko John Inya, Chidiebere Favour Onwukwu and Onyekachi Elisha Madubuike.

Ukana and Inya were arraigned on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC for offences bordering on criminal impersonation with intent to defraud and obtaining by false pretence, using the internet.

When the charges were read to them, they pleaded ‘guilty’ to all counts.

One of the counts against Ukana reads: “That you Abasiama Edet Ukana (aka Lucas Pace), sometime in 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did directly take possession of the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States Dollar), which money you reasonably ought to know formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act”.

While the lone charge against Oko reads: “That you, Oko John Inya Sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court fraudulently presented yourself. as Sarah Wesley on Facebook social media platform with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b)() of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.

After listening to their pleas, Justice Onyetenu convicted the defendants and sentenced them. Ukana was sentenced to three months jail term on each of the two counts preferred against him by the Commission with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) on each count. He was also ordered to forfeit the IPhone 13 mobile device used in committing the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and to also restitute the sum of $100 US Dollars into the Consolidated Account of the Federal Government.

Inya was convicted, cautioned and discharged by the court. This was on the grounds that he was an unemployed graduate who showed remorse and did not waste the time of the court. The court, however, ordered forfeiture of his Infinix Smart 5 mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Ojukwu on the other hand, convicted and sentenced Onwukwu and Madubuike on Friday November 8, 2024 for offences bordering on criminal impersonation and identity theft aimed at defrauding innocent citizens.

One of the charges against them reads: ”That you Chidiebere Favour Onwukwe a.k.a. Chest Dutch sometime in October, 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession of the sum of Two Hundred Dollars (200 Dollars) which you reasonably ought to have known forms proceed of an unlawful act to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act’.

Another count reads: ”That you Onyekachi Elisha Madubuike a.k.a AXEL SHIV sometime in November, 2023 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession of the sum of Three Hundred Dollars (300Dollars) which you reasonably ought to have known forms proceed of an unlawful act to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section l8(2Xd) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act’.

They both pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them

Based on their pleas, Justice Ojukwu sentenced them to six months jail term each, with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500,000) each.

While Onwukwu was ordered to restitute the sum of Two Hundred United States Dollars ($200), Madubuike was ordered to restitute Three Hundred United State Dollars ($300) to their victims.

They also forfeited all gadgets used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

All the four convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested bynthe Commission for internet-related offences. They were subsequently charged to court.