Nine individuals have been convicted and sentenced for internet fraud-related offences by the Federal High Court in Calabar.
Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie presided over the cases, which involved charges of cybercrime, impersonation, money laundering, and obtaining money under false pretences.
The convicts — 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 — were arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to an EFCC statement issued Monday, the offences were committed between 2023 and 2024 and violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Ochiabutor, for instance, was found guilty of knowingly taking control of $3,000 obtained by false pretence.
Akpan was convicted of impersonating a foreign national on social media to defraud a victim of $300.
All nine pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel urged the court to impose appropriate sentences, while defence lawyers pleaded for leniency.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced Ochiabutor to 12 months in prison on each of his two charges, to run concurrently, with an option of a N1 million fine.
He was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. Akpan, Greg, and David received similar 12-month concurrent sentences, with David ordered to return $1,800.
Emmanuel received a six-month sentence. Justice Dugbo sentenced Asuquo, Chinonso, Aniete, and Effiom to two years each, with the option of fines.
The convicts also forfeited proceeds of their crimes — including amounts of $300, $180, and $1,300 — to the federal government.