The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of twenty internet fraudsters.
The convicts are : Pius Daniel Damba, Amachon Solomon Ajiduku , Ephraim Ammam , Clement Daniel, Victor Ale , Abdul Rahman Bashir Gimba Magaji,
Caleb Ephesian , Kenneth Justine Chinemeren , Ruboh Danjuma Zogimba , Emmanuel Gangana Burba, Kingsley Adashi Adeh , Rechard Unah Ojor
Others are: Motiyedi Dore, Godwin David Haruna, Henry Abraham, Mashi Ambrose, Ambition Zare Boniface, Joshua Mark Asose, and Tonga Samuel.
They were arraigned on charges bordering on impersonation , intent to defraud and cheating before Justices Aminu Gaba , MA Sambo and Nuhu S. Adi of the Federal and High Courts of Bauchi and Taraba States respectively by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC between May 26 and May 30, 2025.
The charge against Richard Unah Ojor reads: that you Richard Unah Ojor sometimes in 2025 being a Nigerian Citizen living in Bauchi, Bauchi State within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court , knowingly created a ( X account formally Twitter) using your mobile iPhone 14 Pro, with IMEI Number 35213021831333 , with which you fraudulently presented yourself as a Swedish National viz: ” Pastella ” also known as ” Nathalie Henry” a representation which you knew to be false and in the processes engaged one John GG to send you money in form of gift worth $650 USD which you converted and receipt an equivalent into your local currency OPAY Account Number 906939147 and thereby committed an offence of cheating by impersonation , an offence punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges , prompting the prosecution counsel, MD Aliyu , AB Kware , S.E Okemini and JD Tortema to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, but counsels to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who are remorseful of their actions.
Having listened to the prosecution and defence counsel, Justice Garba of the Federal High Court Bauchi convicted and sentenced , Damba , Ajiduku , Amman , Daniel , Ale , Bashir, Magaji , Ephesion , Chiemeren , Zogimba , Burba. and Adeh to eight months imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each.
Justice Sambo of the Bauchi State High court convicted and sentenced Ojor to eighteen months imprisonment or a fine of N150,000( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
In Taraba State, Justice Adi of the State High Court sitting in Jalingo convicted and sentenced Samuel, Abrahim and Ambrose to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira ) each.
Asose , Boniface, Haruna and Dore bagged three months imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira each.
The Judges ruled that the convicts restitute the victims of crime and forfeit laptops and mobile phones, being instruments of crimes, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convicts’ journey to the Nigerian Correctional Service began when the Commission received petitions from some concerned Nigerians regarding their nefarious activities. They were arrested, arraigned and convicted.
