EFCC Achieves Conviction of Nine Internet Fraudsters in Awka

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully obtained the conviction of nine internet fraudsters in a case before Justice Evelyn Anyadike at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State. The charges pertain to cybercrime offenses.

The individuals convicted include: Daniel Okochukwu Okoh, Onwe Chidera Solomon, Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Malachy Makuochi Adonu, Udeh Collins Chidimma, Ukoro Victor Somto, Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi. Of the defendants, Chidimma and Adonu faced two separate charges, while the other seven were charged with one count each, all related to identity theft and fraudulent impersonation. The charge against Somto states: "That you, Ukoro Victor Somto (age 21), in 2025, in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated Carly Kuiken, a female foreigner and actress residing in the United States, through a Telegram account via your Samsung S10e. The intent was to deceive unsuspecting individuals to obtain money and gain an advantage for yourself, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended), and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act." Similarly, the charge against Okoh specifies: "That you, Daniel Okochukwu Okoh, in May 2025 in Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently represented yourself by creating a fake Instagram account under the username Igorbest2023, misrepresenting yourself as a Russian living in Australia while communicating with Lubov Bustova, a Russian woman, using your Infinix i40 phone. This action was with the intent to deceive foreign nationals for personal gain, thereby committing an offense under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015." All defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read aloud. In light of their guilty pleas, EFCC's counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Ajobiewe, requested that the court convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Conversely, the defense counsels—B. C. Okeke, Wisdom Ogbonna, C. M. Okafor, and James Nwatarali—urged the court to show leniency, citing the remorse of the convicts. Justice Anyadike subsequently rendered the following sentences: - Ani, Chinwetalu, and Solomon received six months imprisonment each, with the option of a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira). - Adonu was sentenced to two years in prison with an option for a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

- Okoh received a six-month sentence with an option for a fine of N50,000 and was also assigned two weeks of community service.

- Chidimma was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with an option for a fine of N100,000 on the first count and 18 months or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) on the second count.

- Somto was sentenced to six months with an option for a fine of N200,000, Ifesinachi to six months with an option for a fine of N100,000, and Chidubem to 18 months with an option for a fine of N200,000. Additionally, Justice Anyadike ordered Ani, Ezekiel, Collins, and Okoh to forfeit their criminal proceeds, including phones and laptops, to the Federal Government. These convicts were among 51 suspected internet fraudsters apprehended on May 2, 2025, at Premier Layout, Enugu State, following actionable intelligence linking them to cybercrime activities.