Crime

Full List: 43 Convicted for Internet Fraud in Awka, Anambra State (Photos)

In a massive crackdown on cybercrime, forty-three individuals have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges of internet fraud in Awka, Anambra State, and Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The sentencing took place at the Federal High Court, Awka, under Justice Evelyn Anyadike, following their arraignment by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence linking them to online criminal activities. Investigations revealed that they impersonated foreign nationals through various social media platforms, defrauding unsuspecting victims. The EFCC presented separate one-count charges against each suspect, including personation, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining money under false pretenses.

During the court proceedings, all forty-three suspects pleaded guilty. The EFCC’s counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, urged the court to convict and sentence them according to the law. However, the defense team, comprising Ifeanyi Michael Odoh, James Nwatarali, Bernard Okeke, and O.C. Abalu, pleaded for leniency, arguing that the convicts were first-time offenders and had shown remorse.

After hearing both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced the convicts to eight months in prison, with the option of paying a fine of N100,000 each. Four convicts—Nwankwo Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Izuchukwu Nwokwu Victor, Eyinna Oduu Emmanuel, and Ikechukwu Ezra—received lighter sentences of two months of community service under the supervision of the Deputy Court Registrar.

Additionally, the court ordered the auctioning of items recovered from the convicts, including mobile phones and laptops, with proceeds to be deposited into the federal government’s account.

Below is the Full List of Convicted individuals

Momoh Victor Abdulkareem

Paul Emmanuel

Adibe Henry

Okoroafor Abuchi Gospel

Ikechukwu Ezra

Oduu Emmanuel Eyinna

Obasi Chibuike

Chimaobi Ogbonna

Nwankwo Emmanuel Ikechukwu

Aluma Chetachukwu Israel

Emeka Umendu