The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office on Thursday July 8, 2021 secured the conviction of one John Padre Akor and one Aondoaver Aondoseer,before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State on one-count separate charge bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining money from foreign nationals under false pretence.
The offence is contrary to Section 33(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Act.
The charge against Akor reads, “That you, John Padre Akor Nigerian, male, adult, on or about the 22nd day of September 2020 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one John Smith of the United States of America, obtained control over a card as security for debt and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(5) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015”.
The charge against Aondoseer reads: “That you, Aondoaver Aondoseer, Nigerian, male, adult, on or about the 22nd day of September 2020 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to defraud one John Smith of the United States of America, obtained control over a card as security for debt and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(5) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015”.
The defendants pleaded ‘guilty’ when the charges were read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Rahmaiha Ikhanaede reviewed the facts of the case and urged the Court to convict them accordingly.
However, counsel to convicts, Ibrahim Mari, prayed the Court to temper Justice with mercy, adding that the defendants were remorseful and have learnt their lessons.
In separate judgements, Justice Dogo convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly.
Akor was sentenced to three (3) years imprisonment with an option of fine of N1.5million. A 2015 model GLK 350 4matic Mercedes Benz SUV and OPPO Model Phone with IMEI No. 868057055645775 and 868057055645767 recovered from him and believed to be proceeds of crime were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Similarly, Aondoseer was sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment with an option of fine of N1 Million. His Samsung S10 Plus phones with IMEI No. 3546521037200421 and 354653103720429 was forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a related development, Justice Dogo also convicted and sentenced one James Simon Favour, to three months imprisonment with an option of N100, 000 Naira fine, for fraudulently obtaining N787,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand Naira only) from one Ojile Daniel Sunday through a fraudulent investment scheme.
The charge on which the defendant was convicted reads, “That you James Simon Favour on the 17th July, 2020 in Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the aggregate sum of N787,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Naira only), via bank transfer from one Ojile Daniel Sunday GT Bank Account No. 0591744168 to your GT Bank Account No. 0251143410 and First Bank Account No. 3139094982 under the pretence that you would place it in a GT Bank fixed deposit at 75% interest which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
