The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of eleven internet fraudsters arrested in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The convictions were delivered by Justices Maurine Adaobi Onyetenu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, and Justices Ijeoma Ojukwu and Rosemary Dugbo-Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar.

The convicted individuals include Shadrack Eliayere Aburu, Nsukak Iko-Edem Effiong, Chukwudi Moses Chimobi, Olenye Benedict Ikwem, Emmanuel Enoabasi Etim, Mgbato Joseph Obi, Godwin Abu, Etim Ememobong, Charlie Victory Augustine, John Uduak Isiodon, and Enyia Emmanuel.

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All defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsels Ubokudom Enobong and Khamis Mahmud to request swift sentencing.

In Uyo, Justice Onyetenu sentenced Nsukak Iko-Edem Effiong to three months’ imprisonment or a ₦200,000 fine on each of two counts, while Shadrack Eliayere Aburu received six months’ imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine on both counts.

In Calabar, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu sentenced five convicts to 12-month jail terms, with various fine and restitution options:
• Chukwudi Moses Chimobi was fined ₦800,000 and must restitute $500
• Olenye Benedict Ikwem was fined ₦500,000
• Emmanuel Enoabasi Etim must pay ₦800,000 and restitute $350
• Mgbato Joseph Obi and Godwin Abu were each fined ₦800,000

Justice Dugbo-Oghoghorie sentenced four others to two years in prison, with the following fine options:
• Etim Ememobong: ₦1,000,000 fine and $70 restitution
• Charlie Victory Augustine: ₦1,000,000 fine and $200 restitution
• John Uduak Isiodon: ₦1,000,000 fine
• Enyia Emmanuel: ₦1,500,000 fine and $650 restitution

In addition, the convicts were ordered to forfeit all electronic gadgets used in perpetrating the crimes to the Federal Government.

The fraudsters were apprehended at various locations after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by EFCC operatives.

WASSCE Candidates Injured As Exam Hall Collapses During Storm In Taraba

Panic gripped Government Secondary School, Namnai, in the Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State on Wednesday evening as an examination hall collapsed on students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The collapse occurred during a heavy downpour accompanied by a violent windstorm, leaving dozens of students, teachers, corps members, and exam supervisors trapped under the debris. Fortunately, local residents responded swiftly and rescued those affected.