By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate has secured the conviction and sentence of one Chinedu Ukpai Kalu, an internet fraudster before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on fraudulent impersonation, and advance fee fraud.
One of the charges reads: “That you Chinedu Ukpai Kalu on or about the 9th day of May, 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with the intent to defraud, obtained a total sum of £1200 (One Thousand Two Hundred Pounds Only) from one Muhammad Zabhar from the UK under the pretence that you are a legitimate miner, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the said Act.
He pleaded “guilty” when charges were read to him, following which prosecution counsel K .W. Chukwuma-Eneh urged the court to convict and sentence him
accordingly. Defence counsel, U.S Ejemera, however, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the defendant was a first time offender and has learned his lesson.
Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced him to 12 months in prison or to pay N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Thousand Naira Only) fine, payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation.
In addition to his sentence, he forfeited his iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy A5, 9G and Samsung Galaxy A14, 5G recovered from him upon arrest to the federal government. Also forfeited to the federal government are the sums of £1,200 (One Thousand, Two Hundred Pounds and $400 (Four Hundred Dollars), recovered from him during investigation.
Kalu’s journey to the correctional facility started when he was arrested by the Commission in a sting operation in the Choba axis of Port Harcourt, following intelligence report on the activities of some internet fraudsters in the area.
Investigation revealed that the convict operated fraudulent Facebook, TikTok, Telegram and Instagram accounts which he used to swindle unsuspecting victims of their money.
