The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Command, has confirmed the conviction and sentencing of eight internet fraudsters in Akwa Ibom State.
The confirmation was contained in a statement by the EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the eight were convicted by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State.
The convicts are: Abasiofon Daniel Essien also known as Jason Momoa, Gideon Junior, Edikan Ubong, Harrison Chiemelie, Ndifereke Umoh, Christopher Promise, Effiong Wisdom and Godswill Nsikan.
The statement explained that they were prosecuted on two separate charges that bordered on criminal impersonation, identity theft and obtaining by false pretence.
According to the statement, One of the charges against Essien reads: That you, Abasiofon Daniel Essien (aka Jason Momoa) sometime in 2023, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession of $300 (Three Hundred US dollars) intentionally, knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: Identity theft and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under the Section 18 (3) of the same Act.
One of Wisdoms charges reads: That you, Effiong Wisdom M (aka Pamela Randy) sometime in November 2023, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did fraudulently present yourself as Pamela Randy to Michael Moore on the social media platform: Facebook/Instagram with intent to gain advantage for yourself did take possession of the sum of $170 (One Hundred and Seventy United States Dollars) knowing that the money formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act to wit: impersonation thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.
They all pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them following which prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud tendered their confessional statements and incriminating contents of their mobile phones to the court as evidence and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The judge convicted and sentenced them to two years in jail each. Umoh, Promise, Chiemelie and Nsikan were given the option to pay a fine of N2 million each (Two Million Naira). Junior, Essien and Ubong were given an N1.5 million (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine, while Wisdom was given N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) option of fine.
In addition, Essien, Junior, Ubong and Chiemelie are to restitute $100, $300, $170 and N140,000.00 respectively to their victims, while Umoh, Promise, Wisdom and Nsikan will restitute $70, $140, N100,000.00 and Nsikan $50 respectively to their victims.
The convicts also forfeited their phones which the court described as tools for their crimes to the government.
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