On August 26, 2025, Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, sentenced Innocent Owie Ochuko to three months in prison for internet fraud.
Ochuko, who pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of cybercrime, was arrested on June 20, 2025, in a sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at County Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
The court heard that Ochuko posed as “Hibrave Thugger” using the email hibravethugger@gmail.com to deceive victims through a Bitcoin investment scam, earning $1,000 AUD (One Thousand Australian Dollars).
He also used the alias “Exxes” from the United States. During the investigation, authorities recovered an iPhone 15, a Samsung S9, and N300,000, which Ochuko restituted via a Zenith Bank manager’s cheque.
Justice Dipeolu convicted Ochuko based on his guilty plea and the evidence presented.
In addition to the three-month sentence, the judge offered an option of a N700,000 fine and ordered the forfeiture of the recovered mobile devices and the N300,000 cheque to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
