Nigerian High Court Sentences 34 Internet Fraudsters In Anambra State
The Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has sentenced 34 individuals to jail for internet fraud and fraudulent impersonation. Justice Evelyn Anyadike handed down the sentences. Offenders faced charges including fraudulent impersonation, possession of proceeds of crime, and obtaining by false pretenses.
According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Head of Media and Publicity, the defendants, including Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu, Chinonso Stanley Boniface, and Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, were charged with using fake identities to defraud foreign nationals. Kingsley, for example, was found guilty of impersonating a foreign national on Facebook using an HP Elitebook laptop, while Kalu Odeghe Olu posed as a foreign shipping agent.
Despite initial not-guilty pleas, the prosecution, represented by counsel Raymond Edozie, sought convictions. Defense counsel requested leniency, citing remorse. Most of the convicts received eight months in jail or an option to pay a fine of N70,000, while some, including Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian and Chinonso Stanley Boniface, were sentenced to two months of community service.
The court ordered auctioning of all recovered mobile devices, with proceeds directed to the Single Treasury Account of the Federation. The suspects were apprehended in Onitsha on October 11, 2024, following an investigation into scams targeting vulnerable foreign nationals.
Oyewale’s statement listed all 34 convicts, highlighting the EFCC’s commitment to combating cybercrime across the country.
