Three internet fraudsters who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 4-count charge that borders on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence were Monday December 2, 2013 convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
The convicts are Okolie Emmanuel Emeka (a.k.a. Michael Eze, Roy), Nwakusor Stephen Reachi (a.k.a. Rowland Blount, Joel) and Olowu Segun (a.k.a. Travis Tade Johnson).
Emeka who is the arrow head of the syndicate was alleged to have obtained the sum of 17,544.59 South Africa Rand from one Elizabeth Gertrude Von through Western Union Money Transfer under the pretext that he was a representative of Continental Financial Loans and Associates Plc and offered the victim a loan facility. He proceeded to demand and collect from the victim what he claimed was processing fee for the said loan. The offence is contrary to section 1(1) b of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.
When the convicts were arraigned before Justice Lambo Akanbi on December 2, 2013 they pleaded guilty
to the four count charge.
The defence counsel, Barrister O. Amabibi Nsirim however pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy since the accused persons were first offenders; more so as they had agreed to pay restitution to their victims.
Justice Lambo Akanbi consequently sentenced each of the accused to 4 months imprisonment starting from the dates of their arrest.
Media and Publicity
3rd December, 2013
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