Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Lagos

Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Lagos



The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Emmanuel Nwanze and Omogbe Aroghene Justice, before Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Both defendants were found guilty of fraudulently impersonating foreign nationals. Nwanze was charged under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015, for using Instagram to deceive others for personal gain. Justice, on the other hand, was convicted under Section 18(1)(d) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004 for disguising the source of $550, known to be proceeds of criminal activity.

Upon their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel H.U. Kofar presented their extrajudicial statements, fraudulent documents, and mobile devices as evidence, which were admitted by the court. Omogbe Aroghene Justice had also made a restitution of N300,000.

Emmanuel Nwanze was sentenced to two years in prison with an option of a N50,000 fine, while Omogbe Aroghene Justice received two years' imprisonment with an option of a N100,000 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of their devices and the N300,000 restitution to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Their arrests and subsequent conviction highlight the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat internet fraud in the country.