Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final-year student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison following his conviction on internet fraud charges. The judgment was delivered at the Federal High Court in Rivers State by Justice A. T. Mohammed. Ekanem, who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), faced a seven-count indictment involving impersonation and fraudulently obtaining funds by deception.
The charges outlined how Ekanem, under a false identity, deceived individuals into sending him money. One count in the indictment detailed an incident in which Ekanem impersonated Coran Capshaw, the manager of renowned American singer Chris Stapleton, to defraud a victim, Diana Roskov, of $22. This case exemplifies how online fraud schemes can range from large-scale operations to smaller scams that often go unnoticed but still carry significant penalties under Nigerian law.
For each of the seven counts, the judge imposed a two-year prison term, culminating in a total sentence of 14 years. However, the sentencing includes an option for a fine in place of the prison term. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of all mobile phones and electronic devices confiscated from Ekanem, which had been used to perpetrate the fraud. Furthermore, as part of his sentencing, Ekanem must submit an affidavit of good behavior to the court, a requirement intended to underscore the court’s expectation of his rehabilitation and future conduct.
The EFCC has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime, particularly in light of Nigeria’s growing youth population and increasing internet access, which, while beneficial, has also led to a rise in cyber fraud cases. The court’s decision in Ekanem’s case highlights Nigeria’s commitment to addressing internet-related crime and serves as a warning to others engaging in similar fraudulent activities.
