Nine men have been sentenced to prison in Akwa Ibom for their roles in cybercrimes, including impersonation, internet fraud, and money laundering.
They were convicted by two judges of the Federal High Court in Calabar — Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Oghoghorie Dugbo — after being arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC revealed their names as Nsofor Charles Ochiabutor, Aneikan Monday Akpan, Igwe Greg, Ubong Emmanuel, Columba Chukwubuikem David, Edet Christopher Asuquo, Justice Chinonso, David Sunday Aniete, and Fidelis Andrew Effiom.
In a statement posted on Monday, the EFCC said the crimes were committed between 2023 and 2024 and violated Nigeria’s cybercrime and anti-money laundering laws.
One charge against Ochiabutor read, “That you, Nsofor Charles Ochiabutor, sometime in 2023, knowingly took possession of $3,000, which was part of proceeds from obtaining money by false pretence.”
In another case, Akpan was accused of pretending to be someone named *Hwan Yeong* on social media in 2024 and receiving $300 fraudulently.
All nine pleaded guilty when the charges were read in court.
Prosecution lawyers Joshua Abolarin and Khamis Mahmud asked the court to convict them. Meanwhile, their defence lawyers — Udeme Tom, David Akpanifum, and Emmanuel Nsebe — pleaded for mercy.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced Ochiabutor to 12 months in prison on each of his two charges. He was also given an option to pay a fine of N1 million and must refund the \$3,000 he received to the victim.
Aneikan Akpan, Igwe Greg, and Columba David also got 12 months in prison each. David must return $1,800.
Ubong Emmanuel was sentenced to six months on a one-count charge.
Justice Dugbo sentenced Edet Asuquo, Justice Chinonso, David Aniete, and Fidelis Effiom to two years each, with an option of fines. They also forfeited a total of $1,780 to the federal government.
The EFCC confirmed that the jail terms will run concurrently.
