The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Office has secured the convictions of three undergraduates, namely: Cynthia Nwankwo Ifunanya (female), 22 years, Kingsley Omenazu 27 and Okorie Kosalachi Alex 29 years before Justice I. Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on two separate count charges of internet fraud.
Justice Buba after reviewing the evidences brought against the convicts admitted that the prosecution led by Eunice Vou Dalyop, has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted and sentenced Alex to three years imprisonment, while Ifunanya and Omenazu were handed two years imprisonment respectively.
The threesome were however, given N2 million option of fine each.
Justice Buba, further decided that all the items recovered from the convicts by the EFCC should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convicts, including the lady, were arrested by the EFCC at the Airport View Estate, Thinkers Corner, Enugu, following several calls by the residents to the increasing fraudulent activities of the convicts in the area.
Meanwhile, four of the originally suspected fraudsters arraigned on seperate two and three count charges, namely: Valentine Chinaza, Wisdom Obioma, Godswill Ndubuisi. and Anya Precious Junior, all pleaded not guilty as charged.
In view of the pleas the prosecution counsel asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand them in Enugu Correctional Service.
Following the developement, counsel to Godswill Ndubuisi and Anya Precious, N.F Anyaegbulam moved a motion for the bail of his clients which was granted by the court.
Justice Buba, after hearing from both counsels, granted the duo bail in the sum of N20 million each, two sureties in like sum with landed property. He ordered the property to be verify by the court and the sureties to show means of living and passports of the sureties be deposited to the court.
Justice Buba further ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Correctional Service pending the perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till March 13, for trial.
Similarly, Valentine Chinaza and Wisdom Obioma were ordered to be remanded at the Correctional Service while their case was adjourned till February 26, for hearing of their bail applications.
