The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to varying jail terms for crimes bordering on cyber fraud and impersonation.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale. According to him, the convicts—Emmanuel Okwa, Felix Akaninyene Tom, and Ubok Ubong Edet—were found guilty by Justice Maureen Oyetenu on Monday, July 21, 2025, following their arraignment by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The trio pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges of internet fraud and cyber impersonation.

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One of the charges against Emmanuel Okwa read:
“That you, Emmanuel Okwa (aka Jennifer Aniston) ‘M’ sometime in 2024, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently present yourself as Jennifer Aniston on social media with intent to gain advantage for yourself, did take possession of the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500) knowing that the money formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act to wit; cyber impersonation and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.”

With the defendants pleading guilty, prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

On the other hand, defence counsels Sampson Awuje, Metti Monday Ukpeh, and Nyebu Johnson pleaded with the court for leniency and requested lighter sentences for the accused persons.

In her judgment, Justice Oyetenu convicted and sentenced Emmanuel Okwa to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦2,000,000 fine. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone and Samsung mobile phones to the Federal Government.

Felix Akaninyene Tom and Ubok Ubong Edet were each sentenced to six months imprisonment or, alternatively, a fine of ₦500,000. They were also directed to forfeit a Tecno Camon 18 Spark and a Tecno Pro 10 Spark phone, respectively. The court further ordered that the devices be sold, with the proceeds paid into the EFCC’s Proceeds of Crime Account.

The EFCC stated that the trio had been arrested for internet-related offences before their eventual prosecution and conviction.

Man Arrested for Fatally Stabbing Friend After Dispute in Kebbi

Residents around Gotar Aliero by Oando in Birnin Kebbi were met with shock on Monday morning as the body of a man was found in a pool of blood at the entrance to the central market.

The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the death, identifying the victim as 35-year-old Auwal Umar from Katami village in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

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