Rita Odafe
Recently, the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that they had successfully obtained convictions for eight individuals involved in internet fraud in the state.
The convictions were presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie at the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State as confirmed by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
The convicted individuals are Abasiofon Daniel Essien, Gideon Junior, Edikan Ubong, Harrison Chiemelie, Ndifereke Umoh, Christopher Promise, Effiong Wisdom, and Godswill Nsikan.
They faced separate two-count charges related to criminal impersonation, identity theft, and obtaining money by false pretenses.
Essien was accused of knowingly acquiring $300 believed to be proceeds of identity theft. Meanwhile, Wisdom was alleged to have fraudulently represented himself as another person on social media to gain $170 dishonestly.
All the accused pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. Subsequently, the prosecuting counsel, Khamis Mahmud, presented their confessions and incriminating evidence from their phones to support the case for conviction.
The judge sentenced each of them to a two-year prison term. Some were also given the option of paying fines ranging from N1 million to N2 million.
Additionally, some of the convicted individuals were ordered to make restitution to their victims, ranging from $50 to $300, and forfeited the phones they used in perpetrating their crimes.
This successful conviction marks a significant step in combating internet fraud and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
