EFCC: Court jails two for internet fráud in Enugu

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Arinze Johnpaul Chukwudi and Ajah Damian Uchechukwu, for involvement in online fraud.

The duo was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges bordering on cybercrime and conspiracy to commit impersonation.

According to a post on the anti-graft agency’s X handle on Wednesday, the duo was found guilty and handed prison terms in line with the provisions of the law.

The post reads:

“Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Arinze Johnpaul Chukwudi and Ajah Damian Uchechukwu to jail for fraud.

“They were by the prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a separate one-count charge, bordering on cybercrime and conspiracy to commit impersonation.

“They pleaded ‘guilty’ when the charges were read to them following which prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel, Chijoke E. prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.

“Justice Umar convicted and sentenced Chukwudi to 11 months imprisonment without an option of fine, while Uchechukwu bagged six months imprisonment and to pay a fine of N500, 000.00 (Five hundred thousand Naira).

“The convicts who specialised in criminal impersonation of foreign nationals were arrested on May 17, 2024.

“In a related development, the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arraigned the trio of Prince Odinaka Ogbu, Nwachukwu Chidalu Prosper and Desmond Okoye Chidera before Justice Umar.

“Ogbu is being prosecuted on a separate two-count charge, while Prosper and Chidere are facing a two-count charge, all bordering on cybercrime.

“Prosper pleaded ‘guilty’ while Ogbu and Chidera pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges when they were read to them.

“In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Anyanwu Somtochukwu prayed the court to convict and sentence Prosper accordingly and asked for a date for Chidera’s trial. Similarly, prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Blessing Obasi asked the court for a trial date for Ogbu.

“Justice Umar, thereafter adjourned till June 25, 2025 for the hearing of Ogbu’s bail application, while he adjourned till May 21, 2025 for the review of facts of Prosper’s case and hearing of Chidera’s bail application. He ordered the remand of the trio in the Enugu Correctional Centre.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>