The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured convictions against five individuals in Calabar for internet fraud and related offenses.
Justice Rosemary Dugbo-Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Calabar, sentenced the fraudsters on November 18, 2024, after they pleaded guilty to charges of criminal impersonation, fraudulent messaging, and money laundering.
The convicts are Michael Aregbesola (a.k.a. Amin Deera) bagged a sentence of seven years imprisonment or a fine of ₦5,000,000.
Adeleke Toba Richard (a.k.a. Jason Avtandil) was sentenced to four years imprisonment on each of two counts (to run concurrently) or a fine of $2,500.
He was ordered to restitute $500 to the victim.
Mkpoikanke Emmanuel Udoh (a.k.a. Tom Jones was sentenced to seven years imprisonment or a fine of ₦5,000,000.
Gideon Mishell Effiong (a.k.a. Gianluca Jinoble) bagged four years imprisonment on each of two counts (to run concurrently) or a fine of €2,500.
Ordered to restitute €500 to the victim.
Momodu John Modupe (a.k.a. George Woods) was sentenced to four years imprisonment or a fine of ₦5,000,000.
The charges included fraudulent possession of funds obtained through impersonation and cybercrime.
Evidence presented in court included the defendants’ statements and fraudulent documents retrieved from their devices.
Convictions were secured under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC’s investigation, led by the Uyo Zonal Directorate, stemmed from the defendants’ suspicious online activities and lifestyles.
