34 convicted in anambra for online fraud, court orders seized devices auctioned
A total of 34 individuals were convicted for online fraud by Justice Evelyn Anyadike at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State.
Each convict received varying jail terms for their involvement in internet-related crimes.
The names of those convicted, as revealed on the official X page of the EFCC, include Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu, Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian, Chinonso Stanley Boniface, and Nnamani Makuo Paschal, among others.
They were charged with serious offenses such as fraudulent impersonation, possession of proceeds from crime, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
One of the cases involved Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, who was accused of impersonating a foreign national named Erica Clark.
According to the court documents, “That you, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, fraudulently impersonated Erica Clark… via a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals.”
Another convict, Kalu Odeghe Olu, was found guilty of pretending to be a foreign shipping agent.
The court stated, “That you, Kalu Odeghe Olu… fraudulently presented yourself as a foreign shipping agent… with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals.” Such actions demonstrate the deceptive strategies employed by these fraudsters to exploit individuals online.
When the charges were read, all 34 convicts pleaded not guilty.
However, prosecution counsel Raymond Edozie argued for their conviction, urging the court to impose appropriate sentences.
In contrast, defense lawyers Benard Okeke, James Nwatarali, and Ifeanyi Odoh pleaded for leniency, noting that the convicts were remorseful for their actions.
After considering both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced each of the convicts to eight months in prison, but they had the option to pay a fine of N70,000 to avoid serving time.
Notably, Valerian and Boniface received two months of community service instead of jail time, which will be supervised by the Deputy Court Registrar.
In a significant move, Justice Anyadike also ordered that all mobile phones and laptops seized from the convicted fraudsters be auctioned off, with the proceeds going into the Federation’s Treasury Account.
The arrests of these individuals occurred on October 11, 2024, in different locations throughout Onitsha, Anambra State.
Investigations revealed that while some of the convicts specialized in impersonating foreign shipping agents with fake email addresses, others used fraudulent methods to scam vulnerable women overseas.
