The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday secured the conviction and sentence of seven internet fraudsters before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State.
The anti-graft agency in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
The convicts are Victor Ekwonwa, Chukwudi Iwueke, Mbam Alexander, Ugorji Emmanuel, Joseph Ekwere Tom, Eze Daniel, and David Okeke.
They were arraigned on one count of separate charges bordering on obtaining under pretence and money laundering.
The count charge read, “That you, Joseph Ekwere Tom, sometime in 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession and control of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars), knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”
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In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Khamis Mahmud, prayed the court to convict them as charged. Thereafter, Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced the convicts to six (6) months jail term each.
Six of the convicts were given the option to pay a fine of ₦1,000,000, except Mbam Alexander, who was given the option of a fine of ₦500,000.
The court also ordered Joseph Ekwere Tom and Chiwenikpe Ekwonwa to restitute the sums of $500 and $100, respectively, into the EFCC’s Recovery Account.
The judge also ordered that all gadgets used in committing the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.