Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Oghoghorie Dugbo of the Federal High Court Calabar have convicted and sentenced nine individuals to jail for internet fraud. The convicts include Nsofor Charles Ochiabutor, Aneikan Monday Akpan, Igwe Greg, Ubong Emmanuel, Columba Chukwubuikem David, Edet Christopher Asuquo, Justice Chinonso, David Sunday Aniete, and Fidelis Andrew Effiom.
They were prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, money laundering, and impersonation. The convicts pleaded guilty to their charges.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced Ochiabutor to 12 months imprisonment on each of the two-count charges or a fine of N1 million. Ochiabutor was also ordered to restitute his victim $3,000. Akpan, Greg, and David were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on each of their two-count charges, with David ordered to restitute $1,800 to his victim. Emmanuel received six months imprisonment.
Justice Dugbo sentenced Asuquo, Chinonso, Aniete, and Effiom to two years imprisonment each with the option of fines. They were also ordered to forfeit $300, $180, and $1,300, respectively, to the federal government.
