EFCC: Court Suspends Stella Uduah’s Arraignment Over N7.9bn Fraud Charge Till July 17
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, June 15, 2023, again suspended the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and others on alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges, citing security reasons.
According to the judge, the court will not continue with the trial until it is certain and satisfied that the security and safety of the persons involved in the trial is assured.
At the last adjourned date, Justice Ekwo had complained about receiving private messages regarding the case from persons whose identities he did not disclose, while warning them to desist from intruding on his privacy.
At today’s proceeding Justice Ekwo voiced his anger that the prosecution failed to fish out the culprits.
“I want you to find out who that character is, arrest him and bring him to court on the next date. I am not going to go on with this trial until I am certain and satisfied that the security and safety of all the persons involved in the trial is assured,” he said.
Justice Ekwo produced a publication wherein his life was severely threatened over his involvement in the trial.
He urged the EFCC to fish out the culprits and bring them before the court, even as he ordered the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to obtain the identities of the promoters of the offending publication.
Before the case was adjourned, counsel to the seventh defendant, intimated the court of a letter wherein he informed the court that his client, Crystal Television, had entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC and already paid One Hundred Million, (N100, 000, 000.00) as part-payment for compounding the offence contained in the charge.
Part of the letter reads: “Sequel to our letter dated 22nd May 2023, on the above matter, we hereby forward, under the covering of this letter, a Zenith Bank Manager’s Cheque (Bank draft) Nos. 00009061, 00009063, 00009065, 00009066, 00009068, 00009070, 00009071, 00009072 and 00009073, all dated May 2023, in the sum of N100, 000,000.00(One Hundred Million Naira) only as part payment for compounding of offenses contained in the above charge”.
The letter further stated that, “Pursuant to all previous payments and the one referred to herein, our client has the sum of N280, 000,000.00 balance payment and the same shall be paid as soon as possible.”
The judge however adjourned the matter till July 17, 2023 for the CAC to report on the owners of the organization, and the EFCC to fish out the culprits.
COURT CONVICTS 22 INTERNET FRAUDSTERS IN ANAMBRA
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Enugu Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of 22 internet fraudsters before Justice F. Riman of the Federal High Court, Akwa, Anambra State.
They were convicted on June 13, 2023, on a one count separate charge bordering Impersonation.
The convicts are Emos Ozoemena Orjiobasi, Onodugo Oji, Chukwudi Usulor, Victor Ifesinachi Ozonwanji, Arinze Daniel Ani, Ogbodo Chinedu Johnbosco, Okonkwo Francis Chukwuebuka, Emmanuel Tochukwu Ezuma, Tochukwu Collins Ojiochie, David Charles Ani, Chibuzo Emmanuel Okoloeze and Ebuka Thaddeus.
Others are Okechukwu Emmanuel Onah, Nnamdi Moses Aniojoani, Ezike Kingsley Chinecherem, Thomas Joshua Ekene, Ojioche Miracle Nzesinachi, Nwose Chinedu Smartboy, Chinazaekpere Francis Ani, Nnamezie Emmanuel Okil, Rapheal Chukwuebuka Ogbodo, and Eneh Chimaobi Christopher.
The charge against Emos Ozoemena Orjiobasi reads; “that you, Emos Ozoemena Orjiobasi sometime in May, 2023 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court, impersonated by presenting yourself as Inaya Zainab Zara, a white lady, on your Facebook social media account using your iPhone X with intent to obtain money by false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.)Act. 2015 and punishable under section 22(4) of the same Act”.
All the 22 defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to convict them accordingly.
The court convict and sentenced them to one year imprisonment with the option of N150, 000.00 fine each, while Chibuzo Emmanuel Okoloeze was given the option of N100,000 fine.
COURT CONVICTS 5 YAHOO BOYS FOR CYBERCRIME IN KADUNA
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of 5 Yahoo Boys before Justice A.A Ishaka of the Kaduna State High Court on separate one count charge bordering on impersonation and internet fraud, contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law and Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.
The convicts include are Isaac Ebohon ( A.K.A James Nguyen), Gode Solomon Buka, Emmanuel George, Akinnagbe Endurance ( A.K.A Clara James) and Samuel Onoja.
They were arrested following their involvement in internet fraud of which investigation reveal that the had at different times impersonated unsuspecting victims using various social media platforms to lure them into establishing social relationships.
They were arrested at different locations upon conducting of raids of their hideouts.
Upon taking their individual pleas, Prosecuting counsel led by E.K Garba, prayed the court convicts them accordingly. Justice Isiaka convicted and sentenced them to 2 and 3 years imprisonment or an option of N 200,000 and N 300,000 Naira respectively.
In addition the judge also ordered a forfieture of all electronic gadgets and phones used in perpetrating the Crimes.
Source: efcc.gov.ng
