A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has convicted and sentenced 39 internet fraudsters to various jail terms for crimes related to cyber fraud.
The court presided over by Justices H.I.O. Oshomah and M.T. Segun-Bello, sentenced the individuals after they pleaded guilty to separate charges of impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charges were brought by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following their arrest on September 9, 2024, in Nsukka and Enugu metropolis.
Among the convicts are Udeh Chimuanya John, Nnadi Raphael Ogomegbunam, Ani Mmesoma Emmanuel, and many others.
The convicts used fake identities and fraudulent means to defraud unsuspecting foreign nationals through various online platforms, including Telegram.
The court sentenced 30 of the convicts to two years imprisonment each with an option of a N150,000 fine.
One convict, Ukume, was given an option of a N200,000 fine.
Additionally, nine other convicts, including Tochukwu, Ebube, and Lucky, were sentenced to three years imprisonment each with an option of a N100,000 fine.
Justice Oshomah also ordered the forfeiture of properties and funds obtained through fraudulent activities.
For instance, Odoh forfeited three plots of land in Lagos State, while Ukume and Utor were ordered to forfeit over N2.8 million and N1 million, respectively, to the Federal Government.
The convicts were remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional facility until they complied with the conditions set by the court.
Also, the submission of their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN) were included.
This conviction follows a larger crackdown by the EFCC on cybercrime activities across the country.