EFCC Nabs 55 Internet Fraudster in Enugu, Ebonyi

EFCC Nabs 55 Internet Fraudster in Enugu, Ebonyi

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 55 suspected internet fraudsters in separate operations in Enugu and Ebonyi States. Eighteen of the suspects were arrested today July 29, 2021, at Agbani Road and Thinkers Corner areas of Enugu, Enugu State following intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The suspects are: John Kennedy, Onochie John Paul, Ilojeme Chiagozie, Ilechukwu Chidiebeube, Ike Ebubechukwu Emmanuel H., Otega Pafe Philip, Uzochukwu Uche Frank and Ezinwa Witness Chimere. Others are Obike William Nwabufo, Ikeja Eyerinsu, Chidindu Victory, Onwuagbaizu Paul, Tomizine Alamco, Great Oluwagbemiga, Kanu Dennis Ifeanyichukwu, Ebere Malachy, James Collins Ewenike and Ilojeme Chiemela.

Some of the items recovered from them include laptops and several mobile phones.

The remaining 37 suspects were apprehended on Wednesday July 28, 2021 at Hausa Quarters, Nkaliki, Aboboriga,Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
The suspects are: Igwe Chukwudi, Ozoemena Newman, Obinna William, Eze Godwin, George Ezenwa, Onyebuchi Ebuka, Ezediegwu Innocent, Nzubechukwu Obineze, Igwe Ikenna, Ibrahim Falada, Ezra Excel, Chinedu Agu, Oscar Sogidu, Uchenna Onyenweaku, Nwoka Darlington, Ejike Prince, Anuli Obinna, Nwazunkwu Collins and Mba Rocks, Patrick Junior.

Others are Amefula Kennedy, Ebuka Okoh, Igboke Chinonso, Ijezie Chibuike, Anthony Delight, Joseph Ahuighnwa, Innocent Chukwuebuka, Chima Ndubuisi, Benjamin Kelechi, Precious Kalu, Anthony Samuel, Christian Valentine, Chukwudi Agbom, Ekebudu Nwabueze, Okoye Arinze, Igwebuike Emeka and Chiemelie Franklin.
Items recovered from the suspects  include four vehicles : Lexus RX 350 with registration Number KUJ -552- BG, Lexus IS250 registered with Number EBJ – 762 -AAA, Mercedes Benz ML350 4matic with registration Number KUJ -393 – BQ and Mercedes Benz E350 marked  YAB – 133 -BL, several phones and laptops.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
29 July, 2021
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Unilorin Final Year Student Lands in Jail Over Cybercrime

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of a final year student of University of Ilorin, Ajani Samuel, over internet-related offences, including romance scam.

Ajani, 25, was among the 30 suspected fraudsters arrested on May 4, 2021 around Tanke Area, University Road, Ilorin by operatives of the Commission.
Upon the plea of guilt entered by the defendant, and uncontroverted evidence tendered by the prosecution against him, Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin found Ajani guilty of the two counts preferred against him by the EFCC.

One of the counts reads: “That you, AJANI SAMUEL (ALIAS ROSELINE THENG) sometime between the month of June, 2020 and May, 2021 at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court did knowingly had under your control the sum of $9,348.2 through your Blockchain Wallet linked to your [email protected], the money you knew to have been unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code.”

Following the plea of the defendant, counsel to the EFCC, Innocent Mbachie, led Udo Iniubong, an operative of the Commission, to review the facts of the case. Documents including the extra judicial statements of the defendant, fraudulent messages, iPhones, Laptop and Manager’s cheque (bank draft) of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) raised as restitution by the defendant were tendered and admitted in evidence. 
Delivering judgment on the matter on Wednesday, Justice Oyinloye said the court carefully considered the evidence placed before it and the plea of guilt entered by the defendant. 

“The evidence of the sole prosecution witness remained credible and reliable even after the cross-examination. The defendant entered defence, but failed to neutralise, controvert or damage the evidence of the prosecution”, the judge said.

Consequently, Justice Oyinloye sentenced Ajani to six months imprisonment on count one with N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) as option of fine and two years imprisonment on count two with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). According to the court, the sentences will run concurrently.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s iPhones, laptop and the manager’s cheque of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) raised as restitution by the convict to his victims, to the Federal Government.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
29 July, 2021
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Graduate Convicted of Romance Scam in Kaduna

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today, July 29, 2021 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Nwaturuocha Linjunior Kelechi to one-year prison term before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, Kaduna on a two count charge of cheating and impersonation.
 

One of counts reads, “ that you Nwaturoucha Linjunior Kelechi sometime in 2019 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did pretend to be an American military personnel stationed in Syria, when you knew you were not, and in such assumed character cheated one Vennesa Rose, an American citizen of the sum of One Thousand Nine Hundred Untied States Dollars  ($1,900.00) when you claimed that you were in love with her and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law No.5 of 2017”. 
 

He had initially pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges on December 19, 2019 but was re-arraigned on July 29, 2021 wherein he pleaded guilty to an amended charge following a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.

In view of his guilt plea, the prosecution urged the court to enter the terms of the plea bargain as the judgment of the court, while the defence urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict had no record conviction and has become remorseful. 
 

Justice Khobo consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year in imprisonment starting from the date of his arrest. He was ordered to restitute the victim the sum of $1,900.00 USD through the EFCC and the US Embassy.
He is also to forfeit to the Federal Government the following items; an iPhone 6, one 43″ Led Solar Star TV, one DSTV Satellite Dish and one DSTV Decoder. 

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
29 July, 2021