Nine Internet Fraudsters Convicted In Awka (Photos)

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of nine young men for internet fraud before Justice Evelyn Anyadike at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State.

The convicts are Daniel Okochukwu Okoh, Onwe Chidera Solomon, Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Malachy Makuochi Adonu, Udeh Collins Chidimma, Ukoro Victor Somto, Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi.

Chidimma and Adonu were arraigned on two-count separate charges while the others were charged with one-count offenses, all related to cybercrimes including identity theft and fraudulent impersonation.

One of the charges read in court stated that Ukoro Victor Somto, aged 21, impersonated a female U.S.-based actress via Telegram using a Samsung S10e device, with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims. Another charge revealed that Daniel Okochukwu Okoh impersonated a Russian citizen on Instagram using a fake account to deceive a foreign national.

They all pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read in court.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II, Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Defence counsel, including B.C. Okeke, Wisdom Ogbonna, C.M. Okafor, and James Nwatarali, pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse expressed by the convicts.

Justice Anyadike thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendants as follows: Hyacinth Chinedu Ani, Ugwuanyi Kingsley Chinwetalu, and Onwe Chidera Solomon got six months’ imprisonment each, with an option of N50,000 fine.

Malachy Makuochi Adonu was sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.

Daniel Okochukwu Okoh was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N50,000 fine, plus two weeks of community service.

Udeh Collins Chidimma was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or N100,000 fine on count one; 18 months or N200,000 fine on count two.

Ukoro Victor Somto was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N200,000 fine.

Obi Ezeanyim Eric Ifesinachi was sentenced to six months imprisonment or N100,000 fine.

Ezekiel Valentine Chidubem was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment or N200,000 fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of electronic devices used in committing the crimes, including mobile phones and laptops, by Ani, Chidubem, Collins, and Okoh, to the Federal Government.

The convicts were part of a group of 51 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the EFCC on May 2, 2025, at Premier Layout in Enugu, following credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime-related activities.