Justice A.O Musa of the FCT High Court, Abuja, during the week convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to 14 months imprisonment for defrauding their victims to the tune of $4, 385 USD.
The Abuja Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), arraigned Emakhu Perfect Odion (alias Harry Wilson/Micheal Brown), Chukwuemeka Chanimuya and Oris Karim Ogheneovo (alias James Hopkins) on separate charges that border on cheating, an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Panel Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja).
While Emakhu was docked on a two count charge for duping victims of $2,815.00 and $1,570.00 on the pretext of processing loans for them, Chanimuya who falsely claimed to be a Dane and obtained 50,000kr (Kroner), from one Catherine, was prosecuted on one count of personation and cheating.
Karim who posed as James Hopkins, a Danish citizen on Facebook and tricked his female victims to pay him the sum of N1, 250,000.00, (One Million, Two Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira, Only) after lying to them that he needed financial help having been involved in an accident, was arraigned on one count of romance scam.
After the charges were read to the three defendants, they pleaded guilty.
Prosecution counsel, H. M Muhammed, told the court that the defendants had entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution and prayed the court to adopt the agreement, convict and sentence them accordingly.
The defence counsel, Gali Usman and Chuka Obidike, told the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the defendants were remorseful and would forfeit all the proceeds of the crime.
Justice Musa convicted and sentenced them separately. Emakhu was convicted and sentenced to five months imprisonment or an option of N50, 000 fine, while Oris Karim bagged five months imprisonment with option of N60, 000 fine. Chukwuemeka was also convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment with option of N200, 000 fine.
Packaged by Emmanuel Okafor
