- Safiu Kehinde
The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned 16 suspected internet fraudsters.
They were arraigned before Justice Folashade O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on separate charges.
As contained in a statement issued by the Commission on its official X handle, the defendants include: Ibemere Gerald Ifechukwu, Ngwu Chidozie Henry, Onwugbolu Charles, Okeke Emmanuel Ebubechukwu, Ikechukwu Augustine Ibeanu, Samuel Obi Chidera, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Chinsed and Onoja Sampson Kingsley.
Others are: Chukwudi Francis Chinenye, Nwodo Nelson Obinna, Muolukwu Ikenna Anthony, Ebuka Peter Ejiofor, Okonkwo Nonso Chijioke, Ngwu Chidozie Sylvester, Duru Christopher and Seth Hyacinth Chidera.
While Emmanuel, Ebubechukwu, Henry, Chidera, Christopher, Francis and Charles were arraigned on separate two-count charges, the rest of the defendants were arraigned on separate three-count charges, all bordering on fraudulent impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and money laundering.
They all pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were separately read to them, after which the prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani prayed the court for a trial date.
He also requested for the defendants to be remanded in Enugu State Correctional Centre.
In contrast, the defence counsel, J. O. Ezeh, D. O. Orji, Lizzy Otakagu, E. J. Nwatarali, Michael Odom and Wisdom Ogbonna made bail applications for the defendants before the court.
These were opposed by prosecution counsel on the ground that he was just served the applications and needed time to study them and file counteraffidavits.
After listening to both sides, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo adjourned the matters till February 17, 2025 for hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Enugu State Correctional Centre.
According to the statement, the defendants were arrested on Friday, January 17, 2025 in a sting operation at Dr. J. O Ukwutinife Close, Commissioners Quarters, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, following actionable intelligence linking them to online criminal activities.
Investigations revealed that while some of the defendants specialized in impersonating foreign nationals and defrauding their victims using fake social media accounts, others specialized on forging documents which they use in defrauding unsuspecting victims.