Friday, July 12, 2024 -The Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State on Friday sentenced six internet fraudsters to six months in prison for criminal impersonation, love scam and identity theft.
The convicts were charged to court by the
Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on
two separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty.
In a statement by the EFCC spokesperson,
Dele Oyewale, said the convicts are Chibo Udoka (aka Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose,
Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo ( Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey
(aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John
Bassey (aka Tom Jones) and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal).
The Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross
River State on Friday sentenced six internet fraudsters to six months in prison
for criminal impersonation, love scam and identity theft.
The convicts were charged to court by the
Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on
two separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty.
In a statement by the EFCC spokesperson,
Dele Oyewale, said the convicts are Chibo Udoka (aka Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose,
Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo ( Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey
(aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John
Bassey (aka Tom Jones) and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal).
The statement explained that the judge,
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ruled, ”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 of American Citizen) to Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych (Ukrainian
Citizen) on Facebook with fraudulent intent, gained advantage of the sum of N1,
000, 000 (One Million Naira) for yourself from the said Tymoshenko Anatoly
Grihorovych and thereby committed the offence of identity theft contrary to
Section 22 (2) (b) (0) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) (Amendment)
Act 2024 and punishable under 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act.
“‘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 platform (Whatsapp, Instagram) and thereby
committed 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”.
The statement added, ” The defendants
pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them and based on their
pleas, prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud prayed the court to convict and
sentence them accordingly, but the defence counsels Udeme Tom, Innocent Ekeize
and Henry Effiong prayed the court for lighter sentences for the defendants, on
the ground that they were first-time offenders.
“After listening to both the prosecution and
defence counsel, Justice Ojukwu, convicted and sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu
Samuel, Asogwa Lucas and John Okpokpo to six months imprisonment on each of the
two count charges. The sentences are to run concurrently, while Goodluck Bassey
and Chibo Mgborogwu were sentenced to a month jail term each on one count. The
convicts were all given the option to pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira
only (N500,000) each.
“Four of the convicts were ordered to
restitute the following sums: Emediong Bassey One Thousand Five Hundred Rands
(R1500); Otu Samuel One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000.00); John Okpokpo One
Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars ($150 US) and Asogwa Lucas One Hundred
United States Dollars ($100 US). The six convicts forfeited all gadgets used in
committing the crimes to the Federal Government.
“The convicts were arrested in Uyo between
May and June 2024, following verified intelligence regarding their criminal
activities on the internet.”
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