A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today Sentenced two internet fraudster to two years Imprisonment each or a fine of N100,000 each in lieu of the Imprisonment over alleged online fraud.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo convicted and sentenced the duo after they both pleaded guilty to the offences leveled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
One of the convicts, Ayorinde Imole Ayo, a male was alleged to have on the
16th day of June, 2022 in Lagos with intent to defraud had in his possession document titled “GOOGLE ACCOUNT” and other related documents wherein he represented himself as KAROL IMESON with the email address Karolimesonast24@gmail.com which he knew to be false.
The second convict, Elegbe Ebenezer (male) (a.k.a ‘Richad Springfield’) was alleged to have on or about the 15″ day of March, 2022 had in his possession document titled, “Google: Account” wherein he represented himself as ‘Richard Springfielid’, a male white American, Country songs Musician for various unsuspecting victims through his email : doany 2dnpyosnq27S€’ ynaivzom linked to his IPhone X with No: 769-7590414 with intent to gain advantage to himself.
While Ayorinde admitted benefitting the sum of $2,000 from the fraud, Elegbe admitted benefitting the sum of $7 000 from the illegal act.
Arraigning the convicts today, Kemi Oluwakemi Kemi-Makinde told Justice Oweibo that she has two separate applications pending before the court and urged the court to allow the two charges be read to the defendants so that they can take their plea on the charges.
After reading the two separate charges to the defendants and both pleaded guilty to their respective one count charge, the prosecutor, Oluwakemi urged the court to allow her review the facts of the case.
Following the review the facts of the matter during which items like phones, Laptops, increminating documents recovered from the defendants and their extra-judial statements were tendered and admitted as exhibits, Justice Oweibo in his ruling convicted both of defendants as charged .
Consequent upon thier conviction and a brief allocators by their respective counsel, wherein they pleaded for leniency and urged the court to temper Justice with mercy, Justice Oweibo Sentenced both of convicts to two years Imprisonment each or a fine of N100,000 in lieu of Imprisonment. The judge added that the seentence should start counting from the day of conviction.
The charge against one of the defendant reads : That you AYORINDE IMOLE AYO, (Male) on the 16th day of June, 2022 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document titled “GOOGLE ACCOUNT” and other related documents wherein you represented yourself as KAROL IMESON with the email address Karolimesonast24@gmail.com which you knew to be false Contrary to Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (prohibition etc) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.
The charge against the second convicts reads: That you ELEGBE EBENEZER (a.k.a ‘Richad Springfield’) on or about the 15″ day of March, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession document titled, “Google: Account” wherein you represented yourself as ‘Richard Springfielid’, a male white American, Country songs Musician for various unsuspecting victims through your email : doany 2dnpyosnq27S€’ ynaivzom linked to your IPhone X with No: 769-7590414 with intent to gain advantage to yourself contrary to S$. 22(2) (b) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act. 2015
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