By Nelson Utip
The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, The Cross River State capital and presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu has convicted and sentenced six internet fraudsters to six months imprisonment for criminal impersonation, love scam and identity theft, the convicts are: Chibo Udoka (aka Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo ( Grace Boar),Emediong Ekerete Bassey (aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (aka Tom Jones) and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal who were charged to court by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on two-count separate charges. The culprits all pleaded guilty to the charges when it was read to them.
Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
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The defence counsels Udeme Tom, Innocent Ekeize and Henry Effiong however prayed the court for lighter sentences for the defendants as they were first time offenders.
Justice Ojukwu, after listening to the prosecution and defence councels sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, Asogwa Lucas and John Okpokpo to six months imprisonment on each of the two count charges which are to run concurrently.
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Goodluck Bassey and Chibo Mgborogwu were sentenced to six months jail term each on one count. Meanwhile all the convicts were given the option of N500,000 each as fine. Four of the convicts were ordered to restitute the following sums: Emediong Bassey, R1500; Otu Samuel, N1, 000, 000.00; John Okpokpo, $150 US and Asogwa Lucas $100 US in addition to forfeiting all gadgets used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government.
All the convicts were arrested in Uyo between May and June 2024 as a result of intelligence reports on their criminal activities on the internet.
