Crime
Awka Court Jails 34 Internet Fraudsters
Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The convicts are; Kelly Maduabuchi Muonagu, Nwokwu Chibuike Valerian, Chinonso Stanley Boniface, Nnamani Makuo Paschal, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, Kalu Odeghe Olu, Ikenna Onyebor Maxwell, Fimber Chinedu Ifewuka, Ekeh Callistus Uche, David Chibuike, Chidera Emmanuel Eze, Eberechukwu John Amuka, Okafor Nelson Chinedu, Opara Ifeanyi Nathaniel, Joel Chukwuemeka Amechi, Nnazoba Daniel Ekene, Ikechukwu Prince Gerald, Shedrack Chibueze Ngene and Darlington Odom Oruta.
Other include; Ifeanyi Celestine Akunwafor, Chinagorom Ifeanyi Destiny, Nwaugo Ifesinachi Paul, Somtochukwu Peter Ogbuefi, Emesurum Chinedu Stanley, Innocent Ikegbunem, Chidiukor Nnamani, Emmanuel Johnson Nwafor, Amuche Solomon Christopher, Ifeanyi Blessed Ikechineke, Eze John Ekene, Akubuogu Henry Kizito, Nwokeji Cosmas Uche, Eze Victor Chigadi and Egah Onyedikachi.
They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation, possession of proceeds of crime and obtaining by false pretence.
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The charge against Kingsley reads; “That you, Ifeanyi Aju Kingsley, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Erica Clark, a foreign national by means of your HP Elite book 820G3 with serial number 5CG7201TP6 via a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
The charge against Olu reads; “That you, Kalu Odeghe Olu, sometime in October 2024, at Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently presented yourself as a foreign shipping agent, by means of your Infinix Smart 5 via a fake email account; orbitglobalexpresstopofficial@gmail.com with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2024 as amended and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act”.
The convicts pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them separately. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Raymond Edozie prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, defence counsel; Benard Okeke, James Nwatarali and Ifeanyi Odoh pleaded for leniency in sentencing the convicts, adding that the convicts were remorseful.
After listening to both sides, Justice Anyadike sentenced the convicts to eight months Imprisonment each with an option of fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira) except for Valerian and Boniface who were given two months community service, which will be supervised by the Deputy Court Registrar.
The judge ordered that mobile phones and laptops recovered from the convicts be auctioned and proceeds paid into the Single Treasury Account of the Federation.
The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested on October 11, 2024 at different locations of Onitsha in Anambra State for internet-related offences. Investigations revealed that while some of the convicts specialized in impersonating foreign shipping agents using numerous fake email addresses, others employed fraudulent skills to scam vulnerable women abroad.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has condemned the burning of Ilesa High Court 2 building by yet to be identified criminals, describing the arson as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”.
The incident which happened overnight led to the destruction of court sensitive documents and exhibits with the entire building largely burnt to the ground.
It was gathered that the state fire service was mobilised to the scene but the havoc was already over by the time of their arrival. There are indications that files relating to sensitive court cases were destroyed.
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Gov Adeleke in the statement directed thorough investigation into the incident as well as beefing up security across all court premises in the state.
He stated, “Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.
“Additionally, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the burnt down building.”
Gov Adeleke described the attack as a threat to democracy and noted that the judiciary remains the stabilizer and critical arbiter of the democratic process, urging support rather than attack for the judiciary.
Fear and anxiety have spread across the Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State following the abduction of four children by suspected child traffickers.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Umuokwe quarters, where two of the victims — identified as siblings, Ebube and Miracle — were reportedly taken by three unidentified women.
The women had only recently moved into the area after securing emergency accommodation.
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Community sources said the suspects lured the children from their homes under the pretense of buying them biscuits from a nearby shop.
“It was when the children could not be seen around the compound that neighbours expressed concern,” a resident said.
“By the time the neighbours visited the ladies’ apartment, the room was empty as neither the occupants nor the children could be found.”
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, said the landlady who rented out the room to the suspects has been arrested and is currently in custody.
“The children were abducted three days after the women rented the apartment,” Edafe stated.
“It is true; the problem is that there is no link. They just came and said they wanted to rent an apartment and the landlady gave it to them with no details, no name, no phone number, no agreement, and after three days they carried four children. The landlady has been arrested because her actions are suspicious.”
Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects, while the community remains on alert as the search for the missing children continues.
Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as ‘Killaboi,’ has been extradited to Nigeria from Doha, Qatar, to face trial for the alleged murder of 21-year-old university student Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
The Nigeria Police confirmed his arrival in the country in the early hours of Saturday, following months of international manhunt and collaborative efforts involving INTERPOL, the Federal Ministry of Justice, Qatari authorities, and the Nigerian Police.
Nnayereugo, who had been declared wanted in October 2023, was accused of killing Onuwabhagbe—a first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan—on July 13, 2023, at his residence in Ajah, Lagos.
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“The Nigeria Police Force has successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, male, widely known as ‘Killaboi,’ from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria,” a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read.
The extradition was initiated following a petition from the family of the deceased on September 29, 2024, which triggered INTERPOL NCB Abuja’s involvement.
After the murder, the suspect fled the country and released a video online purporting to confess to the crime — a move police described as “a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.”
Following his declaration as wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued.
He was eventually arrested in Sierra Leone under the alias “Kanu Princeton Samuel” on October 20, 2023, but escaped custody in a prison break the following month.
Authorities tracked the fugitive’s movements across West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East before he resurfaced in Doha on January 24, 2025, living under the false name “Toure Abdoulaye” with a fake Guinean passport.
In February, Qatari authorities arrested him after advanced biometric verification confirmed his identity. The Nigerian government’s extradition request was later approved.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the international cooperation that led to Nnayereugo’s return.
“The synergy amongst nations is vital to curb trans-border crimes,” the IGP said, while assuring Nigerians that the fugitive will face diligent prosecution.
Nnayereugo’s case had earlier drawn widespread attention, with the Lagos State Police issuing a public alert for information on his whereabouts.
At the time, the police described him as a 26-year-old, 5’9″ tall, dark-complexioned man from Abia State who spoke English, Igbo, and Pidgin English fluently.
The Nigeria Police have reiterated their commitment to justice, assuring the public that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure accountability.
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