Justice O. I. Adelaja of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja on Thursday, August 31, 2023 convicted six people on one count separate charges bordering on internet fraud. The defendants who were docked by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are Anekwu Chibuike Peterdamian, Eta Iso Okang, Kolawole Michael Taiwo, Ohue Daniel, Ocholi Husseni and Olatunji Anuoluwapo Johnson.
The charges against two of the defendants read: “that you Anekwu Chibuike Perterdamian (aka Nguyen Dinh) sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as a pilot in the United States of America through dating site and obtained the sum of $7,000 (Seven Thousand Dollars) from one Christian through Bitcoin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
“That you, Eta Iso Okang sometime in 2023 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did cheat by personation when you created an Instagram Account pretending to be Theodora, a United States of America citizen, a fact which you knew to be false and in that assumed character obtained the sum of $4,150 (Four Thousand One Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code, Law Laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Laws”.
They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Justice Adelaja convicted and sentenced Anekwu, to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Million Naira. He is also to forfeit the sum of $4000 (Four Thousand Dollars), a Mercedes Benz CLA 250 car and phones to the Federal Government.
Eta bagged two years jail term or a fine of Two Million Naira. In addition, he is to forfeit $4150 (Four Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Dollars), mobile phones and a laptop computer to the Federal Government.
Ohue, Ocholi and Olatunji received one year jail term with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira fine, while Kolawole received a non-custodial sentence.
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