Medical Practitioner, 13 Others Sentenced To Prison For Cyber Crimes

Justice Simon Amobeda of a Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a cyber fraudster, Anthony Joshua to prison alongside a medical practitioner, Mbewu Chijioke Precious and 12 others.

Justice Amobeda convicted them of cybercrime in a case filed by the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

Others, whose conviction and sentencing was secured by the EFCC include Chikezie Ogochukwu Michael, Victor Chijioke, Johnbosco Chidiebere, Kenneth Williams, Anthony Joshua Tobechukwu, Mmesoma Oparanozie, Nwosu Emmanuel and Uchechukwu Divine.

A concerned Nigerian had petitioned the anti-graft agency on the gangs fraudulent activities leading to their arrest on February 17, 2021, at Umuguma area of ‘World Bank, in Owerri, Imo State.

The suspects had pleaded guilty to separate one-count charge bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and fraud preferred against them by the EFCC.

Following their confession to the crime, prosecuting councils, Segun Akinrinlade and Joshua Abolarin, urged the court to convict them accordingly after reviewing the facts of the case.

However, the defence counsel, Innocent Eze and C. N. Nweke Junior prayed the court to temper justice with mercy noting that the defendants were remorseful first-time offenders.

Justice Amobeda after listening to the councils, convicted and sentenced Mbewu, Michael and Anthony Joshua to 6 months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N50,000.00 each.

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He gave Chijioke, Johnbosco and Divine a 3-month sentence each with an option of a fine of N50,000.00 each.

For Oparanozie, it was 3 months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N20,000.00; Nwosu bagged 6 months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N200,000.00 while Williams was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N10,000.00.

Similarly, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the same Court convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters popularly known as “yahoo boys” on a separate one-count charge bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and fraud.

The convicts who were also arrested in Imo State by Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Commission are Ibe Chukwuebuka Osmond, Bassey Kingsley, Chukwuebuka Cyprian, Iroadinma Chibuike Michael and Henry Mezie Onwuesi.

They were also arrested in Imo State by Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Commission.

The Court sentenced them as follows: Ibe, Kingsley and Cyprian were each sentenced to 3 months imprisonment with an option of N50,000.00 fine each; while Iroadinma was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment with an option of N250,000.00 fine.

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