…Commission tests run radio station
By Dele Ogbodo
Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to one year imprisonment each, without an option of fine.
The all-male convicts with ages ranging between 20 and 28 years, are: Abdullahi Saidu Momoh, Godwin Boman Emmanuel, Samuel Godfrey Orudu and Anunobi Kyrian.
They were jailed after pleading guilty to separate charges, all bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretences.
One of the separate charges reads: “That you, Abdullahi Saidu Momoh, sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Court did fraudulently present yourself variously as Andrew Smith, Theo Hutchraft, Jjchang Wook on the social media platforms; Instagram/Facebook to Sondry Rissell, Peggy Grabner with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence to wit: Identity theft and impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
Based on their “guilty” pleas, Counsel to the EFCC, Khamis Mahmud, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsels: Innocent Eze, Francis Ezike and Cyprian Afahanam, sued for leniency for the defendants.
Justice Oghoghorie, however, sentenced all the four defendants to one year imprisonment each, without an option of fine. Orudu and Kyrian’s sentences are to run concurrently.
The court also ordered Kyrian to restitute the sum of $500 and Orudu the sum of N2,000, 000.00 to the Federation Account. The court also ordered those items recovered from the convicts be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre started on August 29, 2023 when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Commission at Akwa Ima Estate in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for internet- related offences. They were prosecuted and convicted.
In another vein, the Uyo Command arraigned the duo of Joseph Akadu Asukwo and Emmanuel Ekenedilichukwu Armstrong before Justice Maureen Adaobi Onyetenu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
While Asukwo was arraigned on a three- count charge bordering on criminal conversion and stealing to the tune of N12, 993, 600.00, Armstrong was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation, forgery and criminal diversion to the tune of $108, 762.5.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them separately, and in view of their pleas, Counsel to the EFCC, Farida Bukar, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and for the defendants to be remanded at the Uyo Correctional Centre.
However, defence counsel, Michael Ishadu attempted an oral bail application, which did not succeed.
Justice Onyetenu remanded the defendants at the Uyo Correctional Centre, and adjourned the matter to October 26, 2023 for the hearing of bail applications.
Asukwo was arrested for criminal diversion of a company (Aimhye Integrated Concept Limited)’s funds, to the tune of N12, 993, 600.00 (Twelve Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Six Hundred Naira only) while Armstrong was arrested on June 22, 2023 at Captain Iniobong Avenue at Osongama, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for suspected online criminal activities.
Meanwhile: Chukkol Charges 332 Newly- Graduated Cadets Against Corruption and Indiscipline:
The Acting-Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr.Abdulkarim Chukkol has charged newly- graduated cadets of the Commission against indiscipline and other acts of corruption.
He gave the charge on Friday, September 28 at the Passing out Parade of 332 Detective Assistant Course 4 Officers at the Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
According to him, EFCC, as an anti-graft agency, places high premium on its core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration and fresh entrants into its workforce must be above board in their conduct. “I must also sound a note of warning that the Commission will not condone any indiscipline, as violation of the established code of conduct will be met with appropriate sanctions”, he said.
While urging the cadets to be focused, the EFCC boss tasked them to be committed to the profession that they have signed up for, adding that law enforcement pertaining to economic and financial crimes, is a crucial national service and a career which takes years to build but could be destroyed in a moment of careless indiscretion or poor judgment.
Reviewing the content of the training of the cadets, Chukkol, explained that they were taken through all- round training in law enforcement, including legal studies, financial studies, operational studies and information and communication technology, ICT, “They were also introduced into policies and operational manual of the Commission which will guide their conduct within and outside the Commission”, he said.
The EFCC’s boss appraised the efforts of the Commission over the years, stressing that the Commission has made a huge difference in the affairs of the country. “Through the efforts of the commission, odious image of Nigeria as a 419 hub with the attendant negative effect of the economy is erased”, he said. He also disclosed that the Commission has secured 1688 convictions between January and September and with good prospects of more convictions before the year runs out.
“The commission’s investigation activity has led to the recovery of assets running into billions of Naira. Last year, 2022, the Commission secured a total of 3785 convictions, the highest by any law enforcement agency in Nigeria in a single year. Between January and now, the Commission recorded 1688 convictions. The figure is bound to increase as more cases are brought to conclusion in the courts”, he said.
On the preventive mandate of the Commission, Chukkol assured that the EFCC will continue to pursue it with relentless vigour through engagement with different stakeholders. “The Commission recently broke new grounds in this endeavor with the commencement of test transmission of its radio station, EFCC Radio 97.3.
The initiative promises fresh vista of opportunities for public engagement as the Commission strives to get the people to own the fight against corruption.”
Acting-Commandant of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Babashani Umar Sanda, urged the cadets to uphold the values of the Commission, while the Commandant, Police Mobile Training College, PMTC, DCP Urutugu Ikioye urged the Commission to sustain its synergy with the PMTC, “especially at the combat tactical level … because at the end of the day, we still be performing duties that are complementary to each other”.
The overall Best Cadet Award was clinched by Henry Okolie, Sambo Daniel Umoho bagged First Runner Up Award, Second Runner Up Award went to Olusegun Ibiloye and Award for Command and Leadership was clinched by Agu Chidera. Others are: Marksman and Markswoman Awards clinched by Sani Usman Mohammed and Idowu Maryam Bashir respectively.
