From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, Enugu
Sixteen suspected internet fraudsters have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for fraudulent impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and money laundering in Enugu State.
The suspects, who were arraigned before Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Enugu, are Ibemere Ifechukwu, Ngwu Henry, Onwugbolu Charles, Okeke Ebubechukwu, Ikechukwu Ibeanu, Samuel Chidera, Chukwuemeka Chinsed, Onoja Kingsley, and others.
Others facing trial include Chukwudi Chinenye, Nwodo Obinna, Muolukwu Anthony, Ebuka Ejiofor, Okonkwo Chijioke, Ngwu Sylvester, Duru Christopher and Seth Chidera.
While seven of the defendants were charged with two-counts each, the remaining nine accused are facing three-count charges, all related to financial crimes.
One of the defendants, Samuel Chidera was accused of collecting $3, 000 through internet fraud in January, contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022, as amended, and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.
Similarly, Okonkwo Nonso Chijioke was accused of obtaining $500 from unlawful activities under the same legal provisions.
All 16 suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel, Michael Ani urged the court to set a trial date and remand the accused persons at Enugu State Correctional Centre.
Defense counsels, including J. O Ezeh, D. O Orji, Lizzy Otakagu, E. J Nwatarali, Michael Odom and Wisdom Ogbonna, filed bail applications which the prosecution opposed, stating that it needed time to study the bail requests.
After hearing both sides, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo adjourned the bail hearing to February 17 and ordered the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional Centre.
The suspects were arrested on January 17 in a sting operation at Dr. J. O Ukwutinife Close, Commissioners Quarters, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, following intelligence reports linking them to internet fraud.
EFCC investigations revealed that while some of the defendants posed as foreign nationals on social media to scam their victims, others specialied in forging documents for fraudulent activities.
