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A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two businesspersons, Emmanuel Nwanze and Justice Aroghene, to two years in prison each after their prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for offenses related to cybercrime and impersonation.
The two were brought separately before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court on individual one-count charges.
Nwanze was convicted for impersonating Julienne Grundy on Instagram to unlawfully gain benefits, an offense committed in July 2025 at Sango-Tedo, Lagos, which breaches Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.
Conversely, Aroghene faced charges for illegally concealing the source of $550, identified as proceeds from criminal activity, violating Section 18(1)(d) and punishable under Section 18(2) of the EFCC Act of 2004.
During the trial, EFCC attorney H.U. Kofarnaisa presented crucial evidence, including the defendants' confessional statements, fraudulent documents found on their electronic devices, and Aroghene's restitution of ₦300,000.
After reviewing the charges, both defendants entered guilty pleas, leading Justice Osiagor to impose a two-year prison sentence on each.
Nwanze was given an option to pay a ₦50,000 fine, while Aroghene could opt for a ₦100,000 fine. Additionally, the court mandated the forfeiture of their mobile devices and the restitution payment to the Federal Government.
