Full List: Court Sends 34 Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Anambra

Awka, Anambra State – Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Awka has convicted 34 individuals involved in internet fraud, sentencing them to various jail terms for offenses tied to cybercrime. The convicts include:

Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu

Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian

Chinonso Stanley Boniface

Nnamani Makuo Paschal

Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley

Kalu Odeghe Olu

Ikenna Onyebor Maxwell

Fimber Chinedu Ifewuka

Ekeh Callistus Uche

David Chibuike

Chidera Emmanuel Eze

Eberechukwu John Amuka

Okafor Nelson Chinedu

Opara Ifeanyi Nathaniel

Joel Chukwuemeka Amechi

Nnazoba Daniel Ekene

Ikechukwu Prince Gerald

Shedrack Chibueze Ngene

Darlington Odom Oruta

Ifeanyi Celestine Akunwafor

Chinagorom Ifeanyi Destiny

Nwaugo Ifesinachi Paul

Somtochukwu Peter Ogbuefi

Emesurum Chinedu Stanley

Innocent Ikegbunem

Chidiukor Nnamani

Emmanuel Johnson Nwafor

Amuche Solomon Christopher

Ifeanyi Blessed Ikechineke

Eze John Ekene

Akubuogu Henry Kizito

Nwokeji Cosmas Uche

Eze Victor Chigadi

Egah Onyedikachi

Each defendant faced one-count charges related to fraudulent impersonation, possession of illicit gains, and obtaining money under false pretenses.

The cases highlighted the fraudulent tactics used by these individuals, including impersonation and deceitful online profiles aimed at scamming vulnerable foreigners. Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, for example, was charged with impersonating a foreign national, “Erica Clark,” using a fake Facebook profile to deceive his victims. Similarly, Kalu Odeghe Olu posed as a foreign shipping agent through a fake email account.

Despite their initial not-guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Raymond Edozie advocated for their conviction. Defense attorneys Benard Okeke, James Nwatarali, and Ifeanyi Odoh requested leniency, citing the defendants’ remorse.

Justice Anyadike sentenced each convict to eight months in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira). Exceptions were made for Valerian and Boniface, who received two months of community service under the Deputy Registrar’s supervision. The court also ordered that mobile phones, laptops, and other seized digital devices be auctioned, with proceeds directed to the Federation’s Single Treasury Account.

The defendants were arrested on October 11, 2024, across multiple locations in Onitsha, Anambra State, following investigations that linked them to various scams targeting foreign victims online.