The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of five fraudsters for money laundering and impersonation before Justice A.A. Okeke of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The convicted individuals are Justine Chikeleze Onyedikachukwu, David Udoka Okafor, Godwin Favour Udoh, Ifeanyi Franklin Ogobue, and Chinedu Mukolu Obed. They were arraigned on July 12, 2024, on separate charges of money laundering, contrary to Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and impersonation, contrary to Section 22(2)(iv) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022.
Each defendant pleaded guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel, Okongwu Ebuka and Ridwan Alabi, urged the court to convict the defendants based on their pleas.
Justice Okeke sentenced Onyedikachukwu to two months imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. His iPhone 12 and Samsung laptop were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Udoka was sentenced to three months imprisonment on each count, with sentences to run concurrently. His iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 11 were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Udoh received a one-month imprisonment sentence on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. His iPhone XS Max was forfeited to the Federal Government.
Ogobue was sentenced to two months imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. His iPhone 12 Pro Max was forfeited to the Federal Government.
Obed, who pleaded guilty to amended charges, was discharged on one count of money laundering but convicted on a count of impersonation and sentenced to two months imprisonment. His iPhone 12 Pro Max was forfeited to the Federal Government.
All convicts were sentenced for their involvement in internet fraud. They were charged, tried, and convicted for their crimes.
