EFCC Remands Cybercrime Suspects in Prison

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recorded yet another breakthrough in its determination to check the incidences ofeconomic crimes in the country, with the arraignment of 58 persons in connection with advance fee fraud, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna presided over by Justice Shuabu Mohammed.
The suspects who were arrested in an operation tagged “Operation Cyber Storm1” carried out in the nation’s three geo- political zones of South West, South East and South-South, included: Kalu Agwara, Emejuru Prince Patrick, Mang Agbai Ude, Mukaila Aina, Maduka Nnamdi Stanley, Oti Gabriel Arinze, Precious Kalu, Onyekwelu Peter Ndigwe, Anan James, Okunwa Christian Udeh, Kazeem Adewale, Abiola Samson, Adigwe Ngozi, Okpere Pullen, James Momoh, Ese Irohoboinose, Yisa Adisa, Odion Kevin, Ojo Solomon Taiwo, Abiodun Bashorun, Churchill J. Essien, Adewunmi Aringbola, Sanusi O. Abdulwasiu, Babajide Lukman, Okeke Oscar Nkem, Elisha Osughe.
Others are, Olasaide Dare, Koiki W. Adewale, Adebowale Muyiwa, Akinde Samson, Imoh Idiong, Ezechukwu Samuel, Sagunwero Allen Ihama, Sunday Oladunjoye, Ubani Felix Uzor, Imonima Kingsley, Emeka Asoanya, Prince Onyechere, Hak Azu Kalu, Muyiwa Odusonya, Anthony Ugwude, Ibini Kayode, Balogun Otaigbe,Prince Iheoma Esionu,Nnachi Ephraim,Dadi Ike ,Chigozirim Nwafor, Adenuga Lateef Olatunji,Ekwebelem Promise,Sorunke Odunayo Smith,Obasi Nwankwo Irem,Presely Omorogbe, James Momoh,Oame Benjamin,Olumide Aluko, and Titus osita Okeke.
They were cumulatively slammed with more than eighty-five count charge all predicated on internet related fraud offences based on obtaining by false pretences, while 7 of the accused persons were arraigned on the ground of failure to obtain full particulars of customers, permission of their business premises for the commission of the offences and non- registration of their cybercafés with the EFCC.
Though 17 of the 58 accused persons were not present in court, those in attendance were represented by counsel including Suleiman Rufai, BenChurchill Aniekwena, E.B.O Ibiloye, Mike Nwakanma, Obi I.I., M.A.Ikpe, B.M.Badru, among others. The prosecution counsel totaling twelve were led by Messrs. Johnson Ojogbane and Joshua Saidi.
Reacting to the oral applications for bail by counsel to the accused persons some of who cited the fact that their clients voluntarily reported themselves as at when needed by the EFCC, the prosecution lead counsel, Joshua Saidi, noted that it was pertinent that a formal application be made to support the facts as being presented by the defence counsel.
He along with other prosecution counsel argued that while they concur that granting of bail was at the discretion of the court, it should be done in consideration of the nature of the charge, severity of punishment and evidence before the court.
While refusing all the oral bail applications by the defence counsel, Justice Muhammed however, granted bail to only one of the accused persons, Nnachi Ephraim whose counsel Joe Umoelin the trial judge said was able to substantiate with proof his written application for bail.
The offence attracts a term of not more than 20 years and not less than 7 years without an option of a fine if an accused is found guilty, and all the cases have been adjourned to different dates from Friday 5th November to Tuesday 16th December, 2008; while the accused were ordered remanded in prison custody.