Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has summoned Mrs. Martha Udeh, the mother of 19-year-old Chinonso Udeh, to appear in court on November 1, 2024. Udeh faces charges of cybercrime, having pleaded guilty to accusations brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the court proceedings, the EFCC’s prosecutor, Suleiman Suleiman, presented evidence that linked Udeh to a cybercrime ring operating in the Lekki area of Lagos. A witness, EFCC operative Abdulraman Mohammed, testified about a sting operation that led to Udeh’s arrest and the seizure of his iPhone XR, which contained incriminating documents.
After the evidence was presented without objection from the defense, Justice Faji directed Udeh to stand and provide details about his background. Udeh, a painter residing with a church member, indicated that his mother lives in Onitsha, Anambra State. Notably absent from the proceedings was Udeh’s family, raising concerns for Justice Faji about the young defendant’s support system.
Expressing surprise at Udeh’s lack of family presence in court, the judge questioned how a 19-year-old could face such serious charges without parental support. He mandated Udeh to ensure his mother’s attendance at the next hearing, warning that failure to do so could result in imprisonment.
The EFCC alleges that between January 27 and April 13, 2024, Udeh impersonated a man named “Hamdam Fazza” on Instagram to gain financial benefits, violating the Cybercrime Prohibition Act, 2015.
The case has been adjourned to November 1, 2024, for further proceedings, with instructions for both Udeh and his mother to bring identification documents to the next court date. The judge also ordered the EFCC to provide Udeh with food during his remand.
