On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned 16 suspected internet fraudsters before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu.
The defendants include: Chidera Nehemiah, Chikamso Nwabuisi, Nnamekwe Jeremiah Chukwu, Chiemerie Christian Nworie, Azubuike Akachukwu, Onah Chisom Promise, Onoja Anthony Enemari, Uboegbu Chisom Emmanuel, Ediekemi Patrick Udokaebe, David Ugaji Izuhukwu, Asomugha Favour Chibuike, Onuoha Marvelous Onyeani, Chidera Godwin, Modozie Chukwudalu Sixtus, Ugwu Chibuzor Pedro, and Obiora Favour Ebube.
Chukwu, Akachukwu, Promise, Udokaebe, Chibuike, Godwin, and Sixtus were charged with two counts, while the others faced three counts of fraudulent personation, obtaining by false pretenses, money laundering, and possession of fraudulent documents.
Count three against Nwabuisi states: “That you, Chikamso Nwabuisi, sometime in January 2025, in Awka, Anambra State, did possess $5,000, knowing it was proceeds from an unlawful act, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Similarly, Count three against Chukwu reads: “That you, Nnamekwe Jeremiah Chukwu, sometime in January 2025, at Awka, Anambra State, did possess $5,000, knowing it was proceeds from an unlawful act, violating the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, 2022.”
All defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecution counsel, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, requested a trial date and the defendants’ remand in Enugu State Correctional Centre, while the defense raised pending bail applications. Prosecution opposed bail, citing insufficient time to file counter-affidavits.
Justice Umar adjourned bail hearings for Nehemiah, Nwabuisi, Chukwu, Nworie, and Onyeamari to February 14, 2025, while those for Akachukwu, Promise, Emmanuel, Udokaebe, Izuchukwu, Sixtus, and Ebube were set for February 21, 2025. The remaining defendants’ bail hearings are scheduled for March 7, 2025. All were remanded in Enugu State Correctional Centre.
These defendants were among 37 suspected fraudsters arrested on January 17, 2025, in a sting operation in Awka, Anambra State, based on intelligence linking them to internet fraud. Investigations revealed they specialized in document forgery, impersonating foreign nationals, and using fake social media accounts to deceive victims.
