…as EFCC Arraigns Three Others for Cybercrime
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters at the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar presided over the cases.
Convicted Internet Fraudsters: Chukwudi and Uchechukwu
Arinze Johnpaul Chukwudi and Ajah Damian Uchechukwu were sentenced on separate one-count charges bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy, and impersonation. They both pleaded guilty.
The charge against Chukwudi states:
“That you, Arinze Johnpaul Chukwudi, (26 years), sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of JIMCHO MUN, a male foreigner and military personnel from South Korea, who works as a nurse in Damascus, Syria and residing in the United States of America, through a Facebook account, via your Itel A662L, with intent to obtain money from M Irfan, an unsuspecting foreign national and to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.”
The charge against Uchechukwu reads:
“That you, Ajah Damian Uchechukwu (also known as Uchechukwu Damian Ajah, Uche Ajah and Damian Uchechukwu Ajah), Obinna Iro Valentine (already convicted in United States of America), Enuma George (at large) and Patrick Kelechi (a.k.a Pastor Kelechi) sometime in 2017 at Amakohia, Imo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with fraudulent intent, conspired to commit a felony to wit: impersonation to gain $10,452 for yourselves from one Ngan Nguyen, a citizen of the United States of America and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended) and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
After the defendants entered guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Ajobiewe Rotimi Enitan, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel, Chijoke E., pleaded for leniency.
Justice Umar sentenced Chukwudi to 11 months in prison without an option of fine. Uchechukwu received six months imprisonment and a fine of N500,000. Both were arrested on May 17, 2024, for their involvement in cyber fraud and impersonation schemes targeting foreign nationals.
New Cybercrime Charges: EFCC Arraigns Ogbu, Prosper, and Chidera
In a related cybercrime case, the EFCC arraigned Prince Odinaka Ogbu, Nwachukwu Chidalu Prosper, and Desmond Okoye Chidera before the same court on various charges linked to internet fraud and computer system manipulation.
Ogbu is facing a two-count charge. The first count reads:
“That you, Prince Odinaka Ogbu, ‘M’ 34 years, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, aided Ledata Evans and others at large to commit a felony to wit; Unauthorized Modification of Computer Systems, Network Data and System Interference and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 16 (1) of the same Act.”
Prosper and Chidera are jointly facing a separate two-count charge. One of the counts reads:
“That you, Nwachukwu Chidalu Prosper and Desmond Okoye Chidera, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently made use of the electronic mail password of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Ugochukwu Nwachukwu with the intent to gain advantage for yourselves and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
During arraignment, Prosper pleaded guilty, while Ogbu and Chidera pleaded not guilty. EFCC prosecution counsel, ASE I Anyanwu Somtochukwu and CSE Blessing Obasi, requested appropriate trial and sentencing dates.
Justice Umar adjourned Ogbu’s bail hearing to June 25, 2025, and set May 21, 2025, for the review of facts in Prosper’s case and the hearing of Chidera’s bail application. All three defendants were ordered to be remanded at the Enugu Correctional Centre.
EFCC Reaffirms Commitment to Fighting Cybercrime
The EFCC reiterated its dedication to combating cybercrime and bringing perpetrators to justice, emphasizing that it will continue to pursue internet fraud cases across Nigeria’s judicial jurisdictions.
