Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday secured the conviction and sentence of seven internet fraudsters before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State.
The convicts are: Victor Ekwonwa, Chukwudi Iwueke, Mbam Alexander, Ugorji Emmanuel, Joseph Ekwere Tom, Eze Daniel, and David Okeke.
They were arraigned on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining under pretence and money laundering by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the agency.
The anti-graft agency in a statement issued Thursday said the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them, and in view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Khamis Mahmud, prayed the court to convict them as charged.
It added that thereafter, Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced the convicts to six months jail term each.
It stressed that the six of the convicts were given the option to pay a fine of ₦1,000,000, except Mbam Alexander, who was given the option of a fine of ₦500,000.
The court also ordered Joseph Tom and Chiwenikpe Ekwonwa to restitute the sums of $500 and $100 respectively into the EFCC’s Recovery Account.
The judge also ordered that all gadgets used in committing the crimes be forfeited to the federal government.
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for internet crimes.