Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters before a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State. Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie, presiding over the court on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, found Ike Eusta-Prince Eziomume and Victor Pius Nnaegbo guilty of separate charges bordering on money laundering and possession of proceeds of unlawful acts. Both defendants pleaded guilty to the two-count charges preferred against them by the anti-graft agency, leading to a speedy trial and conviction.
The first defendant, Ike Eusta-Prince Eziomume, was charged with taking possession and control of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and €260 (Two Hundred and Sixty Euros) between 2024 and 2026. According to the charge sheet, he knowingly possessed the funds, which formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, specifically obtaining money by false pretence. This act was contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act. The second defendant, Victor Pius Nnaegbo, faced a similar charge, having been found in possession of €530 (Five Hundred and Thirty Euros) which he also knew to be proceeds of an unlawful act.
At the court proceedings, prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud reviewed the facts of the case following the defendants' guilty pleas. He presented evidence, including the recovered foreign currencies and electronic gadgets used in committing the offences, and prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the law. Defence counsel, Douglas Besong, did not object to the convictions but appealed to the court to exercise leniency in sentencing, arguing that the defendants were first-time offenders who had shown remorse and were willing to turn over a new leaf.
Justice Oghoghorie, after listening to both counsel, delivered her judgment. She convicted Ike Eusta-Prince Eziomume and sentenced him to two years imprisonment, with an option of a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). The court also ordered him to restitute the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and €260 (Two Hundred and Sixty Euros) to his victims. For Victor Pius Nnaegbo, the court imposed a two-year jail term with an option of a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) and ordered him to restitute €530 (Five Hundred and Thirty Euros) to his victim. Additionally, both convicts forfeited the electronic gadgets—including mobile phones, laptops, and other devices—used in committing the crimes.
The arrest of the two convicts took place on May 5 and May 12, 2026, respectively, in the Umuahia and Aba areas of Abia State. Intelligence gathered by the EFCC indicated that the suspects were actively involved in internet fraud schemes, including romance scams and online impersonation, which yielded proceeds in foreign currencies. Upon their arrest, operatives recovered the cash amounts mentioned in the charges, along with various digital devices that contained evidence of their fraudulent activities. The EFCC's swift action, from arrest to arraignment and conviction, demonstrates the agency's renewed vigour under its current leadership to combat cybercrime and money laundering across the country.
The convictions in Calabar are part of a broader crackdown on internet fraud, popularly known as "Yahoo Yahoo," which has become a major concern for law enforcement in Nigeria. The EFCC has stepped up its operations in the South-East and South-South regions, where cybercrime activities have reportedly increased. In recent months, the commission has secured dozens of convictions in courts across Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. The Uyo Zonal Directorate, which covers Akwa Ibom and Cross River, has been particularly active, with a conviction rate that ranks among the highest in the country.
The use of money laundering charges in prosecuting internet fraudsters has become a key strategy for the EFCC. By focusing on possession of proceeds of crime, rather than solely on the underlying fraud, the commission has been able to secure convictions even when the exact identity of the victims or the full extent of the fraud cannot be easily proven. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act provides for severe penalties for anyone found in possession of funds derived from unlawful acts, and the courts have increasingly upheld these provisions. In the case of Eziomume and Nnaegbo, the possession of relatively small amounts of foreign currency—$200 and €260, and €530 respectively—was sufficient to secure imprisonment and fines, a development that sends a strong warning to young Nigerians engaged in cybercrime that no amount, however small, will escape the long arm of the law.
The judgment has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates and civil society groups, who have called for even stiffer penalties to deter potential offenders. Some have, however, expressed concerns about the proportionality of a two-year prison sentence for possession of sums that, while obtained illegally, are relatively modest. Others argue that the punishment must reflect the harm caused to victims, many of whom are vulnerable individuals who have lost life savings to online scams. The EFCC has maintained that the aim is not only to punish but also to rehabilitate, and that the option of a fine allows first-time offenders a chance to avoid prison while still facing significant financial consequences.
As part of the judgment, the court ordered the forfeiture of the gadgets used in committing the crimes. These devices will be destroyed or repurposed for forensic training, according to EFCC sources. The commission has also stated that it will continue to pursue the assets of convicted fraudsters, including bank accounts, vehicles, and properties acquired with proceeds of crime. The message from the Calabar court is clear: internet fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences, and the days of impunity for cybercriminals are numbered.
The convicts are currently serving their sentences at the correctional facility in Calabar, unless they opt to pay the fines. The EFCC has indicated that it will monitor their compliance with the restitution orders and take further legal action if necessary. Meanwhile, the commission has urged young Nigerians to shun cybercrime and embrace legitimate means of livelihood. In a statement following the conviction, the EFCC's Uyo Zonal Commander reiterated that the commission would not relent in its fight against corruption and that anyone caught would face the full wrath of the law.
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