…Court sends 3 to jail in Sokoto
The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended two identical twins, Takwan Potential and Takwan Peter, along with 26 other individuals for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The arrests took place on Tuesday following credible intelligence linking them to suspected internet-related fraudulent activities.
The additional suspects who were taken into custody include Takwan Emmanuel, Kelvin Onedu, Evans Edwin, David Osuji, Osang Tony, Confidence Oblech, Uche Chinedu, Gabriel Kanong, Ojong Victor, Ephraim Ikechukwu, and Shedrack Mfon. The remaining individuals are Godswill Omini, Walter Opha, Godswill Iti, Moses Sha, Prince Uba, Anyi Bassey, David Disi, Peter Silas, Christian Uche, Chidindu Oforji, Kelvin Anyanwu, Anthony Ojone, Samuel Disi, Gideon Joseph, and Ezekiel Francis.
The Commission noted that preliminary investigations revealed that some of the suspects specialized in love scams, while others were involved in fraudulent impersonation and obtaining money through false pretenses. During the arrests, law enforcement agents seized several mobile phones, laptops, five cars, and a Wi-Fi device as evidence.
According to EFCC, the suspects will soon have their day in court as the Commission continues its efforts to combat internet fraud and related criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Justice Muhammad Sifawa of the Sokoto State High Court has pronounced guilty verdicts and handed down twelve-year prison sentences to three individuals convicted of impersonation and obtaining money through false pretenses.
The fraudsters identified as Joseph Moses, Raji Tijjani, and Albert Chris Bulus pleaded guilty to separate charges related to their fraudulent activities brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were arrested by the EFCC operatives in Sokoto after they were found impersonating foreigners and defrauding unsuspecting victims.
One of the charges read as follows: “Albert Chris Bulus, male, knowingly possessed a fraudulent document containing false information, namely a Facebook account printout in which you presented yourself as John Williams. This act is in violation of Section 6 and 5(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Due to their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, S.H. Shehu, requested the court to convict and impose appropriate sentences on the defendants. Consequently, Justice Sifawa sentenced each of the three defendants to four years in prison.
