By Deborah Sanusi
Six internet fraudsters have been sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State. The convictions were confirmed in a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday, following Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s ruling on charges that included criminal impersonation, love scams, and identity theft.
The defendants, identified as Chibo Udoka (also known as Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo (aka Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey (aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (aka Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (aka Tom Jones), and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (aka Daniela Crystal), all pleaded guilty to the charges.
One notable case involved Otu Ginikachi Samuel, who fraudulently posed as American actor Chris Hemsworth on Facebook, deceiving a Ukrainian citizen, Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych, and obtaining N1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
Another case highlighted was Chibo Udoka Mgborogwu, who impersonated various identities on social media platforms to gain fraudulent advantages.
All six defendants admitted guilt during the proceedings. While the prosecution, led by Khamis Mahmud, pushed for appropriate sentencing, the defense lawyers requested leniency, citing that their clients were first-time offenders.
Justice Ojukwu ultimately sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, Asogwa Lucas, and John Okpokpo to six months for two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. Goodluck Bassey and Chibo Mgborogwu were sentenced to six months on one count.
In addition to their prison terms, each convict was given the option to pay a fine of N500,000 and forfeited any devices used in their fraudulent activities. Four of the convicts were also ordered to make restitution, with specific amounts due from Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, John Okpokpo, and Asogwa Lucas.
This sentencing follows a recent report where a Federal High Court in Onitsha convicted 41 individuals for internet fraud-related offences, each receiving one-year sentences.
