Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Enugu, As EFCC Arraigns Two
The Federal High Court, Enugu has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Arinze Johnpaul Chukwudi and Ajah Damian Uchechukwu to jail for fraud
They were 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 Enitan prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The agency in a statement issued Wednesday said the defence counsel prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.
Thereafter, Justice Mohammed Garba 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.
The convicts who specialised in criminal impersonation of foreign nationals were arrested on May 17, 2024.
Also, the anti-graft agency arraigned the trio of Prince Odinaka Ogbu, Nwachukwu Prosper and Desmond 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.