Names of Six Sentenced for Internet Fraud in Calabar
The Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, sentenced six individuals to six months in prison on Friday for their involvement in internet fraud, including criminal impersonation, love scams, and identity theft.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty. According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the convicts are Chibo Udoka (alias Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo (alias Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey (alias Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (alias Tom Jones), and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal).
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ruled that Otu Ginikachi Samuel, under the guise of Chris Hemsworth, fraudulently obtained one million naira from Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych, a Ukrainian citizen, via Facebook. This act constitutes identity theft under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2024. Similarly, Chibo Udoka Mgborogwu, posing as Zoya Andric and Kelly Rose Chimata Harry, committed fraud on social media platforms, violating the same act.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud requested appropriate sentencing, while defense counsels Udeme Tom, Innocent Ekeize, and Henry Effiong sought leniency, citing their clients’ status as first-time offenders.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, Asogwa Lucas, and John Okpokpo to six months imprisonment on each of two counts, to run concurrently. Goodluck Bassey and Chibo Mgborogwu received one-month sentences on one count each. All convicts were given the option to pay a fine of five hundred thousand naira each.
Additionally, the court ordered four of the convicts to make restitution: Emediong Bassey must pay 1,500 rands, Otu Samuel must pay one million naira, John Okpokpo must pay $150, and Asogwa Lucas must pay $100. All devices used in the crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC arrested the convicts in Uyo between May and June 2024, following verified intelligence on their internet fraud activities.
