A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced four individuals—Daniel Ebubechi Chinweobo, Timi Olamide Samuel, Chibueze Thaddeus Ugochukwu, and Emmanuel Linus—to various penalties following their conviction on charges of fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the case against the quartet, accusing them of impersonation, advance fee fraud, and obtaining money under pretenses. The convictions stem from a series of fraudulent schemes uncovered after their arrest in April 2025, prompted by a tip-off regarding their illicit online activities.
According to court proceedings, Daniel Ebubechi Chinweobo allegedly posed as a military officer to deceive a victim, defrauding them of £1,000. Similarly, Chibueze Thaddeus Ugochukwu misrepresented himself as a U.S. citizen, manipulating another victim into parting with $800. The other defendants, Timi Olamide Samuel and Emmanuel Linus, were also implicated in related fraudulent activities. All four individuals pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, admitting their roles in the scams.
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The presiding judge handed down varied sentences based on the severity of the offenses. Chinweobo and Linus each received a 30-month prison term, with the option to pay a fine of ₦200,000 to avoid incarceration. Ugochukwu was sentenced to one year in prison or a ₦50,000 fine, while Samuel faced a two-year sentence or a ₦900,000 fine. In addition to the penalties, the court ordered the confiscation of the defendants’ mobile phones and a Lexus car, which were believed to have been used in or acquired through their fraudulent activities, to be forfeited to the federal government.
The convictions underline the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and financial fraud in Nigeria. The agency has reiterated its commitment to pursuing individuals engaging in such illegal activities, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious behavior. This case serves as a warning to others involved in similar schemes, as authorities continue to clamp down on fraudsters exploiting victims through deception and false identities. The EFCC has stated that investigations into related cases are ongoing, with further prosecutions expected.
