Gbenro Adesina
Two high courts in Nigeria, on Wednesday June 23, 2021, jailed three impersonators: Afolabi Gbolahan, Gbolahan Sodiq Atanda and Saheed Ayomide Rabiu and ordered them to restitute what they have falsely obtained from their victims.
According to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that prosecuted them, the trio were found guilty of fraudulent impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act.
Rabiu and Atanda were respectively convicted by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, while Justice Uche Agomo of the Federal High Court, Ibadan jailed Afolabi on an amended one count charge.
Afolabi was sentenced to seven months imprisonment, while Rabiu and Atanda bagged one and three months jail term respectively.
Also, Afolabi was ordered to restitute $1,000 to his victim, Brown Brain as well as forfeiting his iPhone 7 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Equally, Atanda is to refund $350 and forfeit one black IPhone 11 Pro and one damaged Rose Gold IPhone to the Federal government of Nigeria
Rabiu, is to forfeit one blue Itel P33 mobile phone to the Federal government of Nigeria
In another development, EFCC, on June 23, 2021, arraigned Salmanu Abdullahi Hashim before Justice Bello Shinkafi of the Zamfara State High Court on one count charge of misappropriation of funds.
The defendant allegedly misappropriated the sum of N20, 000,000 he obtained from the complainant under the guise of using the money to purchase gold for the complainant but diverted the fund to his personal use.
The charge read that, “you Salmanu Abdullahi Hashim on or about 2nd December, 2020 at Gusau within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, dishonesty misappropriated the sum of N20, 000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) only property of one Isma’il Mohammed of Isamco General Enterprises under the false pretense that it was payment for gold meant to be delivered to the said Ismail Mohammed within two weeks and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code”.
Sequel to the defendant plead of not guilty to the charge, prosecution counsel, B.M Buhari asked the court for a trial date.
However, the bail application moved by the Defense counsel, Mukhtar Bashir was refused by the presiding on the ground that it was only served on the court “this morning”.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned till June 30, 2021 for hearing of bail application and July 19, 2021 for commencement of trial and the defendant was asked to be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
Furthermore, the anti-graft agency arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu on Tuesday June 22, 2021, in a sting operation at the Sunrise Estate Emene, Enugu, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.
The suspects allegedly specialize in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public including foreigners through the internet.
The suspects are: Onah Uchenna Paul, Ali Chidiebere Shedrack, Samson Ugwuoke, Ogbaru Chidozie Kingsley, Eneh Nelson, Ameh David Onwenchochi, Orji Opara Chimaobi, Chukwudi Emmanuel, Alina Arinze and Tasie Henry Nzube.
