Internet Fraud: Man bags one-year jail term for six million naira unaccounted

The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, brought a one-count charge of fraud against Ukoh Michael Odeh, and Justice O.A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, found him guilty and sentenced him to one year in prison on Friday, September 15, 2023.

“The convict got into trouble when the command received an intelligence report regarding the suspicious activities of some individuals suspected to be internet fraudsters in Makurdi. He was subsequently arrested in a sting operation”. Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC PRO, said on Friday in a signed statement:

The charge reads: “That you, Ukoh Michael Odeh, between 2022 and 2023 in Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fail to account for the source of N6,000,000 (six million naira only) in your FCMB account No. 4668442010 when you reasonably ought to have known or suspected that the said unaccounted funds formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: fraud and money laundering and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 20(b) of the same Act”.

He pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, M. Yusuf, prayed to the court to convict him accordingly.

Justice Egwuatu convicted and sentenced Michael to one year’s imprisonment with the option of a N300,000.00 fine. The convict is also to forfeit N300, 000.00 as restitution to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.

The convict is also to forfeit an Infinix 7 smart phone as proceeds of criminal activity to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Related