By Nkechi Eze
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has convicted and sentenced eight internet fraudsters to various prison terms for crimes ranging from criminal impersonation and money laundering to love scams and possession of fraudulent documents. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
The convicts Azubuike Chibuike Victor, Israel David John, Chimela Chidiebere, Okonkwo Chidiebere, Odenigbo Victor Chika, Prosper Emeka Chinonso, Victor Etim Afaha, and Dennis Ategwu Adah were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on one and two-count charges tailored to their individual offences.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the convicts pleaded guilty when arraigned before the court. One of the charges, against Prosper Emeka Chinonso, stated: “That you, Prosper Emeka Chinonso ‘M’ sometime in 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did fraudulently impersonate Williams, a Filipino, on TikTok with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under the same Section.”
Another charge read against Odenigbo Victor Chika stated: “That you, Odenigbo Victor Chika ‘M’ sometime in 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession and control of 32,000 Taiwan Dollars (TWD), intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel Kharmis Mahmud urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defence counsels C.N. Nweke Jnr., A.O. Adebayo, Ituen Ukpono, Nyebuk Johnson, and Arene Otega, however, pleaded for leniency on behalf of their clients.
After considering the submissions of both sides, Justice Ojukwu sentenced Azubuike Chibuike Victor, Chimela Chidiebere, Okonkwo Chidiebere, Odenigbo Victor Chika, Prosper Emeka Chinonso, Victor Etim Afaha, and Dennis Ategwu Adah to six months imprisonment each, with the option of a ₦1,000,000 fine. Israel David John received a three-month sentence on each count to run concurrently, also with an option of a ₦1,000,000 fine.
The court further ordered that Dennis Ategwu and Victor Etim Afaha restitute the sums of $300 and €100 respectively to their victims. If the victims cannot be located, the sums are to be paid into the EFCC’s Proceeds of Crime Account on behalf of the Federal Government.
Additionally, mobile phones recovered from the convicts were ordered forfeited, to be auctioned with proceeds paid into the Proceeds of Crime Account.
The fraudsters were arrested at various locations across Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States by operatives of the EFCC’s Uyo Zonal Directorate between January and June 2025. They were charged, prosecuted, and ultimately convicted as part of the Commission’s sustained crackdown on cybercriminals.
