Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the mother of 19-year-old Chinonso Udeh, a painter, to appear in court on November 1, 2024.
Udeh, who was brought before the court on Tuesday, is facing charges of cybercrime filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Suleiman Suleiman, presented the case facts through EFCC operative Abdulraman Mohammed.
Mohammed explained that intelligence led the EFCC to a suspected cybercrime ring in Lekki, Lagos, where surveillance was conducted before Udeh was apprehended in a sting operation.
During the arrest, the EFCC seized an iPhone XR from Udeh, which, upon analysis, contained incriminating documents. Mohammed also noted that Udeh’s statement was taken under caution.
The court admitted the evidence presented by the prosecution, labeling them as Exhibits A, B, and C.
Justice Faji then discharged the witness and questioned Udeh about his background.
Udeh explained that he is training as a painter and lives with a church member. He stated that his mother, Mrs. Marther Ude, resides in Onitsha, Anambra State.
When asked who accompanied him to court, Udeh pointed to a young man with braided hair, who introduced himself as a friend rather than a family member, attending the session because Udeh had no family support in court.
Expressing concern, Justice Faji commented, “At 19, you are here without your parents, but only your ‘friend’ with plaited hair. So, should I think this defendant is responsible? So, should this be how a teenager is allowed to roam freely?”
The judge then mandated that Udeh’s mother be present at the next hearing, stating, “I hereby order his mother, Mrs. Martha Ude, of Achaputa Layout, Anambra State, to be in court on November 1, 2024, for further proceedings.”
Justice Faji also ordered the EFCC to provide food for Udeh during his remand and directed that both Udeh and his mother bring identification documents to the next hearing.
The EFCC alleges that, between January 27 and April 13, 2024, Udeh impersonated a white man named “Hamdam Fazza” on Instagram to solicit financial benefits.
The alleged offense violates Section 22(3) of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act, 2015. The case has been adjourned until November 1, 2024, for further proceedings.
