By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has secured the conviction and sentencing of seven internet fraudsters before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development in an official statement issued on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The convicted fraudsters include Victor Ekwonwa, Chukwudi Iwueke, Mbam Alexander, Ugorji Emmanuel, Joseph Ekwere Tom, Eze Daniel, and David Okeke.
They were arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and money laundering.
One of the charges, brought against Joseph Ekwere Tom, read: “That you, Joseph Ekwere Tom, sometime in 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession and control of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars), 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, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
When the charges were read to them in court, all seven defendants pleaded guilty. Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Khamis Mahmud, urged the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Ojukwu thereafter found them guilty as charged and sentenced each of the convicts to six months in prison.
In addition to the custodial sentences, the court granted an option of fine in lieu of imprisonment. Six of the convicts were given the option to pay a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) each. However, Mbam Alexander was given a lesser fine option of ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
The court further ordered that Joseph Ekwere Tom and Chiwenikpe Ekwonwa restitute the sums of $500 and $100 respectively into the EFCC’s Recovery Account. All electronic gadgets used in committing the crimes were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts were earlier arrested by operatives of the Commission for various internet-related offences. Following thorough investigations, they were prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced for their crimes.
