EFCC secures conviction of serial hacker

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, said it has secured the conviction of one Chidi Onouha, a serial hacker, who was dragged by the commission before a Gombe State High Court.

Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the commission`s spokesman in a statement issued in Abuja, said Onouha was convicted on Thursday by Justice Beatrica Iliya on a two-count charge of advance fee fraud.

According to him, the accused was arrested following a petition by one Joseph Goje on June 1.

Uwujaren said Goje had alleged that the convict in connivance with one Chinedu, who is currently at large, hacked into his GTBank account and withdrew N1.5 million.

He added that the fraudsters succeeded in gaining access into Goje`s internet banking accessories, including his token device, email account and mobile number and blocked his access.

The fraudsters he further added, consequently used the devices to defraud Goje of the said sum.

Uwujaren said that on contacting his bank, Goje, who was studying in the United Kingdom, was informed that his account had been tampered with by an undisclosed third party.

“Subsequently, he petitioned the EFCC, which immediately swung into action, Onouha was arrested and charged to court and he pleaded guilty to the charges,’’ the EFCC spokesman said in the statement.

He added that upon his acceptance of guilt, counsel to EFCC, Israel Akande, urged the court to convict him and sentence him to jail.

According to him, counsel to the defendant, Abubakar Bormi, however, pleaded for clemency on the ground that the 25-year-old accused showed remorse and had made restitution by refunding the money.

“In consideration of the defence counsel’s plea, the judge commuted the sentence to N100, 000 fine on each of the two counts.

“She ordered the convict to be remanded in prison custody till he paid the fine,’’ Uwujaren said in the statement.