Court Sentences Man to Two Years Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Akwa Ibom

The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced Oguzie Chima Joseph, also known as Sergeant Flores Nguyen, to two years imprisonment for internet fraud.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Joseph was convicted by Justice Sergius Onah on two counts of cybercrime brought against him by the commission.

According to Oyewale, the first count stated that Joseph, in 2024, fraudulently posed as a U.S. Army officer, Sergeant Flores Uguyeni, on Facebook to gain financial benefits, an offense contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(0) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

The second count charged him with taking possession of $100, which he reasonably ought to have known was proceeds of cybercrime, violating Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Joseph pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him on March 10, 2025. Following his plea, EFCC prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud, presented evidence through a witness, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC Musa Yahaya.

Exhibits tendered included Joseph’s written statement, an iPhone XR, and fraudulent documents recovered from his phone.

Delivering judgment on March 24, 2025, Justice Onah found Joseph guilty on both counts, sentencing him to one year imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.

The court also gave him an option of a ₦200,000 fine and ordered him to restitute the $100 obtained fraudulently.

Additionally, his iPhone XR, identified as a tool used in the crime, was forfeited to the government.

 

Joseph was arrested on December 6, 2024, by EFCC investigators in Uyo after intelligence linked him to online fraud activities involving fictitious social media accounts used to deceive and defraud victims.