• About us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Thursday, August 7, 2025
  • Login
NewsPeg Magazine logo
  • Home
  • News
    • World
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • World
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
No Result
View All Result
NewsPeg Magazine logo
No Result
View All Result
Home EFCC

EFCC Secures Conviction of Nine Internet Fraudsters in Awka, Arraigns Another for Illegal Bureau De Change Operations

Admin by Admin
June 13, 2025
in EFCC
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

By Nkechi Eze

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of nine internet fraudsters before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State. The individuals were prosecuted on charges related to cybercrime, including identity theft and impersonation, and sentenced accordingly.

According to an official signed statement the commission’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale,the convicted individuals 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. While Adonu and Chidimma were each arraigned on two-count charges, the others faced separate one-count charges. All charges were brought under various provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

In one instance, Ukoro Victor Somto was found to have impersonated an American actress, Carly Kuiken, using a Telegram account in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims. Daniel Okochukwu Okoh similarly impersonated a Russian national on Instagram, using a fake profile to deceive a woman named Lubov Bustova.

The accused all pleaded guilty to the charges read against them. In response, the prosecuting counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsels B.C. Okeke, Wisdom Ogbonna, C.M. Okafor, and James Nwatarali pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse shown by the convicts.

Justice Anyadike handed down various sentences. Ani, Chinwetalu, and Solomon were each sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of a fifty thousand naira fine. Adonu received a two-year prison term or a two hundred thousand naira fine. Okoh was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fifty thousand naira fine, along with an additional order to perform two weeks of community service. Chidimma received 12 months imprisonment or a fine of one hundred thousand naira on the first count, and 18 months or a fine of two hundred thousand naira on the second. Somto was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of two hundred thousand naira. Ifesinachi got six months with a one hundred thousand naira fine option, while Chidubem received 18 months imprisonment with an option of a two hundred thousand naira fine.

In addition to the custodial and financial penalties, Justice Anyadike ordered the forfeiture of phones and laptops used in the cybercrimes by Ani, Ezekiel, Collins, and Okoh to the Federal Government. The convicted individuals were among 51 suspects arrested on May 2, 2025, at Premier Layout, Enugu State, following intelligence that linked them to internet-related fraud activities.

In a related development, Justice Anyadike also ordered the remand of Okafor Sunday Chikwado at the Nigeria Correctional Facility in Awka for allegedly operating a Bureau De Change business without proper licensing from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Chikwado, who trades under the name Asia Big Name Enterprise Heritage, was arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge that includes unauthorized financial operations, failure to declare assets, and non-compliance with EFCC inquiries.

According to one of the charges, Chikwado was accused of conducting Bureau De Change operations in May 2025 in Onitsha without a valid license, an offence contrary to Section 57(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2010.

Chikwado pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC prosecutor, Ajobiewe, requested that he be remanded and a trial date be fixed. Justice Anyadike granted the request and adjourned the matter to July 15, 2025, for hearing on his bail application.

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

EFCC Arraigns Jesam Michael Over Alleged Multi-Million Naira Investment Fraud

Next Post

CAS Reiterates Commitment to Civilian Protection as NAF Strengthens Frontline Engagement in North West

Admin

Admin

Related Posts

EFCC Arraigns Five Katsina Revenue Officials, Bank Staff over Alleged N1.2 Billion Tax Fraud
EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Five Katsina Revenue Officials, Bank Staff over Alleged N1.2 Billion Tax Fraud

August 6, 2025
Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report
EFCC

Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report

August 6, 2025
EFCC Boss Urges Real Estate Developers to Embrace KYC, Curb Money Laundering
EFCC

EFCC Boss Urges Real Estate Developers to Embrace KYC, Curb Money Laundering

August 6, 2025
Next Post

CAS Reiterates Commitment to Civilian Protection as NAF Strengthens Frontline Engagement in North West

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Editor's Choice

Court Sentences Man to Six Months Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Lagos

Court Sentences Man to Six Months Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Lagos

August 6, 2025
Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report

Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report

August 6, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
NIMC Trains Corps Members for Nationwide NIN Ward Enrollment Initiative

NIMC Trains Corps Members for Nationwide NIN Ward Enrollment Initiative

June 24, 2025

NAVY CAPTAIN A. MNGUVE UNVEILS THREE INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS IN LITERARY TRIUMPH

May 7, 2025

DICON-D7G Nigeria Limited Board Inaugurated to Enhance National Security and Self-Reliance

March 19, 2025
A Legacy Forged in Duty: Nigerian Army at 162 Years of Nation Building and Sovereign Defence

A Legacy Forged in Duty: Nigerian Army at 162 Years of Nation Building and Sovereign Defence

July 3, 2025

MEDIA FOUNDATION SEEKS UPGRADED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

4

Easter/Eid-el-Fitr: FRSC Records Massive Reduction in Road Crashes.

2
GSAI TRAINS JOURNALISTS TO INTENSIFY ENGAGEMENTS REVOLVING AROUND INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

GSAI TRAINS JOURNALISTS TO INTENSIFY ENGAGEMENTS REVOLVING AROUND INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

2

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S POOR REMUNERATIONS, IT’S EFFECTS ON HOUSEHOLD.  LACK OF INCLUSIVE LABOUR LAWS?

2
Court Sentences Man to Six Months Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Lagos

Court Sentences Man to Six Months Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Lagos

August 6, 2025
Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report

Olukoyede Demands Retraction and Public Apology from Peoples Gazette over False Report

August 6, 2025
EFCC Boss Urges Real Estate Developers to Embrace KYC, Curb Money Laundering

EFCC Boss Urges Real Estate Developers to Embrace KYC, Curb Money Laundering

August 6, 2025
Dabiri-Erewa Applauds ICMPD for Support in Curbing Irregular Migration

Dabiri-Erewa Applauds ICMPD for Support in Curbing Irregular Migration

August 6, 2025
NewsPeg Magazine

Newspeg is a General interest Magazine conceived by Nigerian Media practitioners of like minds across ethnic and geo-political divides of the country, for the purpose of creating uniqueness in Magazine reporting in Nigeria and repositioning the country for the needed growth.

Follow Us

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2024 Newspeg magazine - powered by Vecrit.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
    • World
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • More

© 2024 Newspeg magazine - powered by Vecrit.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In