Justice H. I. O. Oshomah of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has sentenced 24 internet fraudsters to two years imprisonment for impersonation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, revealed this in an official statement on their X handle on Friday.
They were accused of impersonation with the intent of defrauding unsuspecting foreign nationals.
One of the separate charges reads: “That you, Osunkwo Chibuike Stanley, sometime in May 2024 in Owerri, Imo State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Dahunsi Esther, a female foreigner from the United Kingdom through a fake Facebook account, via your LG G7 with imei no 357262090591648 with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.
They were convicted after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges
Defence counsel, E. J Nwatarali prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convicts have learnt their lessons.
However, Justice Oshomah convicted and sentenced them to two years imprisonment and six months community service each with an option of N150,000,00 fine.
The convicts are; Chidiebere Franklin Anozie, Odo Nelson, Osunkwo Chibuike Stanley, Nwaibo Emmanuel Ogbaga, Obinna Ohazurume Bethel, Ugochukwu Daniel Emeziem, Timothy Chimobi Ngwuezumba, Victor Ebuka Nwaogu, Chimaobi Valentine Ugoji, Eke Emmanuel Udochukwu, Chimere Godson Ojinnaka, David Nwachukwu and Emmanuel Chinemerem Agbaraji.
Others include; Ayoka Promise Mmesoma, Philip Ikechukwu Izuogu, Precious Chinemerem Nwogu, Stanley Chibueze Nwachukwu, Kelly Nwankwo, Anthony Chidozie Uwadiegwu, Udeagha Kenneth Chinedu, Kelechi Charles Omoha, Ibina Solomon Chisom, Victor Abonu and Ikenna Daniel.
