Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu, has convicted and sentenced Okwudili Joseph to prison for internet fraud.
Joseph faced a one-count charge of impersonation and cybercrime, prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the charge, “On or about June 5, 2024, in Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, you, Okwudili Joseph, fraudulently impersonated Jim Warren, a gas detection specialist from the United States of America, with the intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.”
Joseph pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Shehu, presented the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. The defense counsel, G. C. Ugwele, pleaded for leniency, arguing that Joseph had become remorseful and had learned his lesson.
After hearing both sides, Justice Umar sentenced Joseph to two years in prison with hard labor or an option to pay a fine of N200,000.
Joseph’s arrest by EFCC operatives on June 5, 2024, in Nike, Enugu, came after credible intelligence linked him to fraudulent internet activities. He confessed to the crime upon his arrest and provided a detailed statement.
