Court Jails 39 Internet Fraudsters In Ebonyi, To Auction Their Phones

October 4, 2024
News

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has convicted and sentenced at least 39 internet fraudsters to different jail terms.

The convicts were arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Court presided over by Justices H. I. O. Oshomah and M. T. Segun-Bello jailed the convicts after pleading guilty to a one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false presence, personation and possession of fraudulent documents.

The convicts are; Udeh Chimuanya John, Nnadi Raphael Ogomegbunam, Ani Mmesoma Emmanuel, Benjamin Obinna Ezema, Onoja Chukwuemeka Miracle, Frank Egesionu, Nze Uchenna Divine,ss Ikegwu Matthew Chukwuma, Ugwu Henry Izuchukwu, Chidiobi Kelechi Sylvester, Erozona Emmanuel Omeya, Aruma Chidiebere Emmanuel, Amaechi Shiloh Chukwuelotam, Ajibo Sunday Chiweokwu, Amadi Mbakaogu, Emeka Ogwa, Miracle Ezema Ebube, Nwobodo Joel Obinna, Eze Emmanuel, Raymond Ugochukwu Emmanuel and Amah Matthew Olumachi.

Others include; Oparaukwu Udoka Justice, Philip Nnabuike Ozoani, Chukwueze Emmanuel Onuh, David Emeka, Henry Chinenyerem Ogbodo, Ebube Testimony Omeje, Emmanuel Stanley Odoh, Terzungwe Isaac Utor, Tersoo Stanley Ukume, Ugwu Christian Tochukwu, Omeje Favour Chimdalu, Henry Abara Ekom, Ajibo Kingsley Ebube, Nuka Christian Lucky, Obioha Chidiebube Gratus, Eze Marcel Uchenna, Enwu Stephen Chimdindu and Chinedu Nelson.

The charge against Ezema reads: “That you, Benjamin Obinna Ezema, sometime in September, 2024 in Nsukka, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Patricia Lambert, a foreign national, through a fake Telegram account via your IPhone 14 Pro mobile phone, with intent to gain advantage for yourself from your unsuspecting victims and you thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.

The Charge against Chidera reads: “That you, Ezeh Emmanuel Chidera, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Wei Yiming, a male foreigner and citizen of United Arab Emirates who works as a Chief Medical Officer, via your Tecno Spark 7, with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and in order to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.

Dele Oyewale the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity stated that the convicts pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them separately and in view of their pleas, Michael Ikechukwu Ani prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, the defence counsel; Wisdom Ogbonna, B. E. Enyiagu, C. C. Osi-Ogbonna, Remy Agu and E. C. Chinenyeze pleaded for leniency and to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convicts were remorseful, as they have learnt their lessons.

Justice H. I. O. Oshomah, on Monday, September 23, 2024, convicted and sentenced 30 of the convicts to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine of N150,000 except Ukume who was given an option of fine of N200,000.

On Friday, September 27, 2024, Justice M. T. Segun-Bello, convicted and sentenced Tochukwu, Ebube, Lucky, Gratus, Uchenna, Chimdindu, Nelson, Ekom and Chimdalu to three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of N100,000.

Justice Oshomah further made the following orders; Odoh was ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government, his three plots of land located at Sweetvilla Phase 3 in Tagbati, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State;

Ukume was ordered to forfeit the sum of N2,873,295.00 to the Federal Government and Utor was ordered to forfeit the sum of N1,000,000.

The Justices also ordered that their mobile phones be auctioned by the Deputy Court Registrar of the court and proceeds paid into the Treasury Single Account of the Federation. Convicts were also ordered to submit their Bank Verification Numbers and their National Identification Numbers to the court which will also be verified by the Deputy Court Registrar after which they will swear to affidavits of good behaviour and another affidavit, showing that they have complied with the submission of their particulars.

The convicts were remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional facility, until they comply with the conditions.

The convicts were arrested on September 9, 2024 in Nsukka and Enugu metropolis by operatives of the Commission, following actionable intelligence linking them to cybercrime activities.

SaharaReporters

The Court presided over by Justices H. I. O. Oshomah and M. T. Segun-Bello jailed the convicts after pleading guilty to a one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false presence, personation and possession of fraudulent documents.

I rather use my Tecno spark than buy any phone that once belonged to these criminals

Misplaced priority, chasing rats when your house is on fire..

Imagine if the topic was Court Jails 39 Politicians In Ebonyi, To Auction Their Assets - Do you know the impact it will make in Nigeria?

I guess all of them were picking in same location.

Brendaniel:
Misplaced priority, chasing rats when your house is on fire..

Imagine if the topic was Court Jails 39 Politicians In Ebonyi, To Auction Their Assets - Do you know the impact it will make in Nigeria?

What impact will it make?
Roads will appear in Ebonyi or industries will appear?
Can u tell us?

JagabanB:

What impact will it make?
Roads will appear in Ebonyi or industries will appear?
Can u tell us?

Good governance will improve

Brendaniel:


Good governance will improve

U have not told us the impact it will make yet.

JagabanB:

U have not told us the impact it will make yet.

Good governance is the impact...

Brendaniel:


Good governance is the impact...

I don't expect someone supporting Obi to know what elements makes up good governance, they think good governance is by talking.

JagabanB:

I don't expect someone supporting Obi to know what elements makes up good governance, they think good governance is by talking.

Jagaban supporter, I understand you guys come blunt by default but it is rational that if the EFCC carries out their duties without fear and favour, enough to indict and convict over 20 politicians in each state, that will serve as a detterent to other corrupt politicians. They will be compelled to sit up to their obligation of good governance.

JagabanB:

I don't expect someone supporting Obi to know what elements makes up good governance, they think good governance is by talking.

If you know what good governance is you will not need someone to explain it to you....

JoeyNaza:


Jagaban supporter, I understand you guys come blunt by default but it is rational that if the EFCC carries out their duties without fear and favour, enough to indict and convict over 20 politicians in each state, the rest will seat up to their obligation of good governance.

I don't work with EFCC.
If EFCC indict and convict 20 politicians, more terrible politicians will rise in their place.
The average Nigerian only criticizes corruption when it's not benefiting him, once those politicians are ousted, more wicked ones who are Nigerians now will take their place.

Brendaniel:


If you know what good governance is you will not need someone to explain it to you....

From what I know, your "good governance" poster boy has never operated good governance before and he's your poster boy for good governance, shows u have no idea what good governance stands for.

JagabanB:

I don't work with EFCC.
If EFCC indict and convict 20 politicians, more terrible politicians will rise in their place.
The average Nigerian only criticizes corruption when it's not benefiting him, once those politicians are ousted, more wicked ones who are Nigerians now will take their place.

Oga stop making illogical assumptions. Go to China, see how corrupt politicians are penalized and tell me how effective it has been. Your type want a better Nigeria but condone corruption, oppression, "chairmanism" and godfatherism.

Look at the way Tinubu clowns are cheering Wike for disturbing an entire state for reasons he can't state with honesty to the public.
Failure to "maintain political structure" has become a crime in Nigeria abi Wike's constitution.

"The average Nigerian only criticizes corruption when it's not benefiting him." Maybe that is how you and your village people are, so speak of your self. Na so awalokan go drop una for gutter. Leave all this senseless politics of tribalism and selfishness so that this nation can progress.

JagabanB:

From what I know, your "good governance" poster boy has never operated good governance before and he's your poster boy for good governance, shows u have no idea what good governance stands for.

Your good governance zaddy don dish una full plate. Wake up to reality, the holy book says "when the righteous rules, the people rejoice", make of that what you will.

JagabanB:

What impact will it make?
Roads will appear in Ebonyi or industries will appear?
Can u tell us?

it will send a strong message to the rest politicians that’ it’s no longer business as usual

By the way , are you normal

JagabanB:

From what I know, your "good governance" poster boy has never operated good governance before and he's your poster boy for good governance, shows u have no idea what good governance stands for.

I think you are mistaking campaign for governance same thing Tinubu is doing...

JoeyNaza:


Oga stop making illogical assumptions. Go to China, see how corrupt politicians are penalized and tell me how effective it has been. Your type want a better Nigeria but condone corruption, oppression, "chairmanism" and godfatherism.

Look at the way Tinubu clowns are cheering Wike for disturbing an entire state for reasons he can't state with honesty to the public. Not "Maintaining political structure" has become a crime in Nigeria abi Wike's constitution.

I have gone to China, I am a serious lover of China and the Chinese people, I read alot about them, their way of life, their reforms, their history etc etc
Corrupt politicians are penalized by people who are not corrupt.
I'm 100% certain that if u are opportune to be in an office to deal with a criminal today and he offers u #200m so u let it pass, u will quietly let it pass without bringing him to justice, the average Chinese will NEVER do that.
Their country comes first not their personal gains.
Whatever is happening with Wike is for those of u that are interested, I'm not interested, doesn't suit my ideology and creed.

My type want a better Nigeria that's why I abhor corruption, godfatherism, "chairmanism" and oppression.
And on no account have I or will ever change my stand, can u say the same for urself?
People who always loud mouths on social media and making reference to other societies are the first to sabotage their country.
I'm sure u are worst than those politicians, the biggest trait of people worst than those in power is the way they criticize recklessly, Buhari was once in your shoes.

Brendaniel:


I think you are mistaking campaign for governance same thing Tinubu is doing...

You should read and understand what good governance stands for before talking about it.

Ttipsy:
it will send a strong message to the rest politicians that’ it’s no longer business as usual

By the way , are you normal

It's no longer business as usual because a new class of politicians are coming in?
LOL.
Most u think transforming a society is by cheap talks on social, read and observe the lives of people who transformed their societies, it's not by cheap talk on social media.

OLAADEGBU:


The Court presided over by Justices H. I. O. Oshomah and M. T. Segun-Bello jailed the convicts after pleading guilty to a one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false presence, personation and possession of fraudulent documents.

Iffa hear say judge girlfriend no collect iPhone 22

JagabanB:

I have gone to China, I am a serious lover of China and the Chinese people, I read alot about them, their way of life, their reforms, their history etc etc
Corrupt politicians are penalized by people who are not corrupt.
I'm 100% certain that if u are opportune to be in an office to deal with a criminal today and he offers u #200m so u let it pass, u will quietly let it pass without bringing him to justice, the average Chinese will NEVER do that.
Their country comes first not their personal gains.
Whatever is happening with Wike is for those of u that are interested, I'm not interested, doesn't suit my ideology and creed.

My type want a better Nigeria that's why I abhor corruption, godfatherism, "chairmanism" and oppression.
And on no account have I or will ever change my stand, can u say the same for urself?
People who always loud mouths on social media and making reference to other societies are the first to sabotage their country.
I'm sure u are worst than those politicians, the biggest trait of people worst than those in power is the way they criticize recklessly, Buhari was once in your shoes.

Oga go back and read my comment. They way you are repeating this line of "I'm sure you are worse than this politicians", it portrays a reflection of your own morality not anyone else's. If you are a potential thief, own up to it boldly and stop categorizing everyone in the same basket with you and your village people. I wasn't born a short sighted thief and won't mortgage the future of my community for greedy grandeur. That''s my truth, speak yours.

Do you think the developed world would be in this postion if everyone that held the communal purse took some for his family, No, they foresaw that putting to money to public good will eventually in coming generations benefit not only their children but the children of others. Lee Kwan Yue of Singapore didn't die an opulently wealthy man but the Singapore he modeled and left behind is a blessing to both his children and that of others. Black man wake up.

Awalokan ticket don cut, bet am again.

JagabanB:

You should read and understand what good governance stands for before talking about it.

So how did poster boy come into the discussion ?

Is he a governor or is he holding any position in Nigeria ?

you sound like someone who is not really Ok(I'm sorry to say)

because it is clear you don't even know the difference between campaign and governance ...

What does a campaigning poster boy have to do with governance ?

JagabanB:

It's no longer business as usual because a new class of politicians are coming in?
LOL.
Most u think transforming a society is by cheap talks on social, read and observe the lives of people who transformed their societies, it's not by cheap talk on social media.

please tell us how are society transformed on thud regards, If not by punishing the offenders
, this will signal a strong warning to the rest of the people



Are we communicating??

JoeyNaza:


Oga go back and read my comment. They way you are repeating this line of "I'm sure you are worse than this politicians", it portrays a reflection of your own morality not anyone else's. If you are a potential theif, own up to it boldly and stop categorizing everyone in the same basket with you and your village people. I wasn't born a short sighted theif and won't mortgage the future of my community for greedy grandeur. That''s my truth.

Awalokan ticket don cut, bet am again.

When you wrote "awalokan" it took me time to process what it means because I'm not a Yoruba.
LOL.
Petty thieves always dèñy they are thieves, people like you are people who will mortgage their famiIies for a meagre #50m talk more of #200m.
I have seen people like u severally over the years.
Those who are always loud in criticisms are the worst sinners.

JagabanB:

I have gone to China, I am a serious lover of China and the Chinese people, I read alot about them, their way of life, their reforms, their history etc etc
Corrupt politicians are penalized by people who are not corrupt.
I'm 100% certain that if u are opportune to be in an office to deal with a criminal today and he offers u #200m so u let it pass, u will quietly let it pass without bringing him to justice, the average Chinese will NEVER do that.
Their country comes first not their personal gains.
Whatever is happening with Wike is for those of u that are interested, I'm not interested, doesn't suit my ideology and creed.

My type want a better Nigeria that's why I abhor corruption, godfatherism, "chairmanism" and oppression.
And on no account have I or will ever change my stand, can u say the same for urself?
People who always loud mouths on social media and making reference to other societies are the first to sabotage their country.
I'm sure u are worst than those politicians, the biggest trait of people worst than those in power is the way they criticize recklessly, Buhari was once in your shoes.

So are you saying Tinubu is corrupt ?

Brendaniel:


So are you saying Tinubu is corrupt ?

Comprehension is a skill that is honed over the years, for some people, it comes naturally, I see that yours is not there naturally and u haven't committed enough resources to honing the skill, I advise you do that compadre.

JagabanB:

It's no longer business as usual because a new class of politicians are coming in?
LOL.
Most u think transforming a society is by cheap talks on social, read and observe the lives of people who transformed their societies, it's not by cheap talk on social media.

the reason why we have such a corrupt system is because politicians are not accountable, punished for any offense especially looting of public funds…
The society we live in is so corrupt.. the least you can do is to defend them..
so pathetic

JagabanB:

When you wrote "awalokan" it took me time to process what it means because I'm not a Yoruba.
LOL.
Petty thieves always dèñy they are thieves, people like you are people who will mortgage their famiIies for a meagre #50m talk more of #200m.
I have seen people like u severally over the years.
Those who are always loud in criticisms are the worst sinners.

Because he told you the truth, you've started to insult and condemn him and his family when you don't even know him....

Ttipsy:
please tell us how are society transformed on thud regards, If not by punishing the offenders
, this will signal a strong warning to the rest of the people



Are we communicating??

When the politicians are jailed, you will replace them?
What is the guarantee that u who will replace them is better than them?
The politicians in your Local Government Area in 1960, are they the ones still there today?
Are they better than ones in 1960?
If the politicians in 1960 were jailed, the new politicians will fall from the blue sky or they will be regular Nigerians that we see today?

A quick question for you, when politicians are jailed, will infrastructures and industries appear?

JagabanB:

What impact will it make?
Roads will appear in Ebonyi or industries will appear?
Can u tell us?

you should be ashamed of yourself

JagabanB:

Comprehension is a skill that is honed over the years, for some people, it comes naturally, I see that yours is not there naturally and u haven't committed enough resources to honing the skill, I advise you do that compadre.

Corrupt politicians are penalized by people who are not corrupt.

Your words, not mine

JagabanB:

When the politicians are jailed, you will replace them?
What is the guarantee that u who will replace them is better than them?
The politicians in your Local Government Area in 1960, are they the ones still there today?
Are they better than ones in 1960?
If the politicians in 1960 were jailed, the new politicians will fall from the blue sky or they will be regular Nigerians that we see today?

A quick question for you, when politicians are jailed, will infrastructures and industries appear?

the responsible lies in the hands of the law enforcement agencies like EFCC to arrest n prosecute if I am found guilty of looting

But unfortunately the Agencies we have now are sell outs to politicians.

Let me ask you, if the looted funds are recovered, don’t you think we would use them to fund infrastructure