A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has convicted three internet fraudsters Emmanuel James Olayi, Okadigbo Gabriel Nzubechukwu, and Emmanuel Nnoli in the state.

The internet fraudsters were convicted by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Thursday, June 2, 2022, after they pleaded guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on impersonation, preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement made available to The Star on Monday, noted that the internet fraudsters were arrested on March 31, 2022, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

One of the charges read: “That you, Emmanuel Nnoli “M” sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate Abdul Kareem on Badoo with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under the same Section.”

The defendant, however, pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to convict the defendants and sentence them accordingly.

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However, the defence counsels, Innocent Eze and Chinonso Nweke, prayed the court for leniency.

Ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Ojukwu, convicted and sentenced Olayi to one-year imprisonment with a fine option of N300,000, Nzubechukwu to one-year imprisonment with a fine option of N800,000, while Nnoli was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N600,000.

Justice Ojukwu further ordered them to forfeit all instruments used in committing the crime which include phones of different brands, one HP Probook 450 G6 and one HP 250 G7 Note to the Federal Government through the EFCC.

Nnoli was also ordered to restitute the sum of 80, 000 CFA to his victim, while Nzubechukwu was ordered to restitute the sum of $400 to his victim.

The presiding judge stated the payments of the said restitutions would be their conditions for release from the Correctional Centre, if they wish to serve the time.

The Star