EFCC Convicts Two Fraudsters in Calabar Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters before Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court in Calabar.

Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, announced the outcome in a statement on Thursday. He said the defendants had pleaded guilty to two separate charges brought by the commission.

One charge read: “That you, IKE EUSTA‑PRINCE EZIOMUME ‘M’, sometime between 2024 and 2026 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession and control of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and €260 (Two Hundred and Sixty Euros), intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence 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 charge read: “That you, VICTOR PIUS NNAEGBO ‘M’, sometime between 2024 and 2026 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession and control of €530 (Five Hundred and Thirty Euros), intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

Following the guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud reviewed the facts and requested the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the law. Defence counsel Douglas Besong did not object but asked for leniency in sentencing.

After hearing both sides, Justice Oghoghorie convicted and sentenced Ike Eusta‑Prince Eziomume to a two‑year jail term, with an option to pay a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). He was also ordered to restitute $200 and €260 to his victims.

Victor Pius Nnaegbo received a two‑year jail term, with an option to pay a fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira). He was ordered to restitute €530 to his victim.

Both defendants forfeited the gadgets used in the commission of the crimes.

The convicts were arrested on May 5 and 12, 2026, in the Umuahia and Aba areas of Abia State, subsequently charged, and now convicted.