The Uyo zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of nine internet fraudsters before Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State.
They pleaded guilty to a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.
In view of their guilty pleas, the prosecuting Counsel, Soares Adebayo, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants.
But the defence counsel, Innocent Eze S.N. Nweke Jr, pleaded for leniency on the grounds that they were first-time offenders.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Oghoghorie sentenced all the defendants to six months imprisonment each.
While Obioma ThankGod (alias Oliver Kudson) and Azubuine Chikwado were given the option of N200,000 fine each, the others had no option of fine.
The defendants were equally ordered to make restitution to their victims and forfeit various items to the Federal Government.
Okechukwu Caleb (aka Richard Kudson, Oliver Smith Madison), who defrauded one Maria Zamora of the sum of $1000, was ordered to restitute the sum of N1 million to his victim through the EFCC, while Christopher Clinton Chinaka McDonald Okoye Chukwubunna Ogugua Chukwuebuka and Egbulefu Promise were ordered to forfeit a Lexus car with Reg. No.UNG 956 KU, iPhone 7, Nokia phone and HP2, Toyota car, iPhone 11 and a Toyota Camry, and mobile gadgets recovered from them respectively, to the Federal Government if confirmed to belong to them. Otherwise, they should be returned to their owners.
The convicts were part of the 21 ‘yahoo boys’ arrested on 29 September by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC in a special operation at the World Bank Estate in Umuahia, Abia State.
In a related development, Justice Oghoghorie also convicted two other suspects: Folashade Adeyemi and Asuquo Edet, for currency counterfeiting and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
While Folashade was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment with the option of a N500,000 fine to be paid within one week for being in possession of counterfeit currency (N100 bills) worth N221,000; Asuquo Edet was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of a fine. He was also ordered to forfeit the wooden boat in which he was arrested, as well as the 20 drums containing 300 litres each of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit PMS.
The judge ruled that the products shall be sold by the court and the proceeds paid into the Federal Government account.
