The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to various jail terms for cybercrimes committed in 2024.

According to a statement released on Monday by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the trio were convicted by Justice Maureen Oyetenu after pleading guilty to separate count charges of internet fraud.

The convicted individuals were identified as Emmanuel Okwa, Felix Akaninyene Tom, and Ubok Ubong Edet, all of whom were arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the commission.

Court documents revealed that Emmanuel Okwa had impersonated American actress Jennifer Aniston on social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims. One of the charges stated that Okwa "fraudulently presented yourself as Jennifer Aniston on social media with intent to gain advantage for yourself, did take possession of the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500)."

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defense counsels Sampson Awuje, Metti Monday Ukpeh, and Nyebu Johnson appealed for leniency in sentencing.

In her judgment, Justice Oyetenu sentenced Emmanuel Okwa to one year imprisonment with an option of a two million naira (N2,000,000) fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone and Samsung mobile devices to the Federal Government.

Felix Akaninyene Tom and Ubok Ubong Edet each received six-month jail terms with the alternative of paying a five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) fine. Both men were further directed to forfeit their mobile phones—a Tecno Camon 18 Spark and a Tecno Pro 10 Spark, respectively—with the devices to be sold and proceeds remitted to the EFCC's Proceeds of Crime Account.

The EFCC had arrested the trio during operations targeting internet-related offenses in the region, leading to their subsequent arraignment and conviction.

This conviction adds to the growing list of cybercrime prosecutions in Nigeria as authorities intensify efforts to combat internet fraud, which has damaged the country's international reputation and affected legitimate online businesses.

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