THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday (June 22, 2021), secured the conviction of one Onyia David Ugochukwu before Justice I .M. Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a one-count charge bordering on criminal impersonation with the intent to defraud.
The suspect and his friends were arrested in a sting operation at the Independence Layout area of Enugu on Saturday, June 4, 2021, following credible intelligence received about their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.
The charge read: “that you Onyia David Ugochukwu on or about the 9th day June 2021 in Enugu within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Mark Louise and Jason Mollie, through a fake Facebook account and Hangout accounts, with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him, prompting the prosecution counsel, Michael Ani, to ask the court to convict him.
The defendant’s counsel, E.O. Isiwu pleaded for mercy on the grounds that his client was a 28-year old orphan and student who did not waste the time of the court and had become remorseful.
Justice Buba in his judgement lamented the increasing incidence of cybercrimes, stating: “This court has observed that the offence of cybercrimes is on the increase in this jurisdiction.
“If this continues, Nigeria will be in jeopardy as many youths are embracing cybercrimes. This court states that poverty and orphanage are not enough reasons to engage in cybercrimes.”
Justice Buba said that other countries with large population like India had low records of cybercrimes and drug-related offences.
He advised the accused person to use his intellect for good and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N150, 000 (One hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.
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