EFCC secures 30 convictions in one day

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it recorded a total of 30 convictions on Wednesday.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, in separate court judgments in Rivers and Kwara states, 27 persons were convicted for internet fraud, while three sureties were convicted for “perversion of justice”.

The agency noted that in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital, 29 suspects — including three sureties — were arraigned before A.T. Mohammed, the judge.

“The convicted internet fraudsters were arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They are: Okei Morrison Onome, Ejiro Nwaju, Oki Alex Efe, Omoghene Gift, Collins Odinaka, Onyue Martins Ifeanyi, Azubuike Christian, Achiever Effiong, Adeniyi Michael Femi, Eze John Paul, Akinayomide James, Adejube Isaac Oluwadunsin, Isaac Phillip, Ibrahim Olalekan Olagoke and Paul Obinna Thomas,” the statement reads.

“Others are Damilola Michael, Umoru Mosuru, Dotun Ogunboye Olaleye, Adekunle Joshua, Elliot Igunbor, Ezomo Junior, David Oluwatobi, Ereoman Emmanuel, Oyetunde Victor Temitope, Nurudeen Abiodun Imole and Adeboye Victor.

“Three sureties who were arraigned for perversion of justice are Lewis Ogenkhene, Ughoshe Adolphus and Osazuwa Efosa Robertson.

“All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them. The prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, Austin Ozigbu and Ibrahim Mohammed, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

“Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the quartet of Imole, Olagoke Ibrahim, Odinaka, John Paul, Adekunle Joshua to three years imprisonment with the option of N500,000 fine each. The duo of Damilola Michael and David Oluwatobi were sentenced to two years imprisonment or N300,000 fine each. Others bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each, while the three sureties bagged two years imprisonment with option of N100,000 fine each.”

In Kwara, one Udoh Sunday Okon was arraigned before Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara state high court in Ilorin, over an alleged Facebook lottery scam.

According to the EFCC, “Udoh, an undergraduate, allegedly defrauded an American, Kimberly, to the tune of $500USD via Facebook lottery”.

“The 20-year-old Akwa Ibom indigene was prosecuted on one-count charge, to which he pleaded guilty,” the agency said.

“Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, pronounced the defendant guilty of the offence and sentenced him to a term of one year in prison. The judge, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N200,000.

“In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of N206,000 draft raised as restitution by the convict and the iPhone which he used in perpetrating the crime to the Federal Government.”