The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the conviction of nine internet fraudsters before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
The convicted individuals are Daniel Okochukwu Okoh, Onwe Chidera Solomon, Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Malachy Makuochi Adonu, Udeh Collins Chidimma, Ukoro Victor Somto, Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi.
Details of the Charges
According to court documents, the defendants were charged with various cybercrimes including identity theft and fraudulent impersonation. Two of the convicts, Chidimma and Adonu, faced two-count separate charges, while the others were charged with one-count offenses.
One of the charges revealed that 21-year-old Ukoro Victor Somto impersonated a female U.S.-based actress via Telegram using a Samsung S10e device to defraud unsuspecting victims. In another case, Daniel Okochukwu Okoh was charged with impersonating a Russian citizen on Instagram to deceive a foreign national.
All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Court Sentences
Following their guilty pleas, Justice Anyadike handed down the following sentences:
Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Onwe Chidera Solomon: Six months' imprisonment each, with an option of N50,000 fine
Malachy Makuochi Adonu: Two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000
Daniel Okochukwu Okoh: Six months imprisonment or N50,000 fine, plus two weeks of community service
Udeh Collins Chidimma: 12 months imprisonment or N100,000 fine on count one; 18 months or N200,000 fine on count two
Ukoro Victor Somto: Six months imprisonment or N200,000 fine
Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi: Six months imprisonment or N100,000 fine
Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem: 18 months imprisonment or N200,000 fine
The court also ordered the forfeiture of electronic devices used in committing the crimes, including mobile phones and laptops belonging to Ani, Chidubem, Collins, and Okoh, to the Federal Government.
Background of the Arrests
The nine convicts were part of a larger group of 51 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the EFCC on May 2, 2025, at Premier Layout in Enugu. The arrests followed credible intelligence that linked them to various cybercrime-related activities.
During the court proceedings, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II, Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defense counsel, including B.C. Okeke, Wisdom Ogbonna, C.M. Okafor, and James Nwatarali, pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse expressed by the convicts.
This conviction highlights the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat the rising cases of internet fraud in Nigeria, particularly among young people.
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