Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, January 18, 2022 convicted and sentenced Paul Godknows John to three years imprisonment for internet fraud.

John was arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on two-count charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretences.

One of the counts reads, “That you, Paul Godknows John “M” sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain the sum of $150 from one Nikki Webledon, a US citizen by pretending to be Calvin Richardson on Telegram and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the two counts and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Enobong Ubokudom, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the convict’s confessional statements and fraudulent documents printed from his phone, which were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit A to C, respectively. Ubokudom thereafter prayed the court to convict John as charged.

Defence counsel, Cyprian Afahanam however asked the court to temper justice with mercy as he client has become remorseful.

Justice Onyetenu sentenced John to twelve months imprisonment on count one and twenty-four months imprisonment on count two. The sentences run concurrently. The court further ordered that his iPhone 12 Pro used in committing the crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government.

John’s journey to jail started on November 16, 2022 when he was arrested by operatives of the Commission, following intelligence received concerning his fraudulent online activities. The convict specialized in using fictitious Telegram accounts to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Media & Publicity

20 January, 2023