The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja Zonal Command, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, secured the conviction of 10 internet fraudsters before Justice H. Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama Abuja.

The defendants are Dominic Likwa, Wisdom Ndubuisi, Sheidu Abdulqudus, Samson Chukwudi Ohanwe and Mohammed Kamal. Others are Abdulsamad Yusuf, Okoebor Chavis Odianosen, Tochukwu Ezema Trust, Chinedu Chukwuma and Timothy Oluwafemi.

They pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The charge brought against Chinedu reads, “that you, Chinedu Chukwuma sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you created an Instagram account pretending to be James Yemel, a United States of America military officer serving in Afghanistan a fact you knew to be false and in that assumed character obtained the sum of $1,693 US Dollars ( One Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety-three Dollars) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law”.

In view of their pleas, Justice Muazu convicted and sentenced Sheidu, Ohanwe, Kamal, Yusuf, Okoebor and Chinedu to 12 months in prison or a fine of N200, 000 each. Tochukwu and Oluwafemi both bagged 9 months jail term or a fine of N100, 000 each, while Likwa is to spend 9months in jail or pay a fine of N50, 000.

In addition, the convicts are to swear to an affidavit to be of good behaviour.