The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters at both the Federal High Court, and the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
Justice Professor C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced Onuigbo Juliu Ikechuwu to five years imprisonment on a one court charge of impersonation.
He misrepresented his identity to defraud an unsuspecting lady in China.
The charge against him reads: “That you, Onuigbo Juliu Ikechukwu (m) (aka Grayson Raymond, aka Mike) sometime in 2019 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent facts as to your identity to a lady in China upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in the sum of Forty Thousand Yuan (equivalent of N1.9million) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015”.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Aham Ozigbu prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant.
Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000. He is also to forfeit his iPhone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth.
In the same vein, Justice Efe Ikponwonba of the Edo State High Court convicted and sentenced Samuel Asenguah to two years imprisonment.
The defendant was arraigned on one count charge of fraudulent impersonation.
He impersonated the identity of one Charles Melton with which he sought to defraud unsuspecting victims through his Instagram account.
Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, K. U. Udus, to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendant. Justice Ikponwonba convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with the option of N200, 000 fine.
First published in PM News