Two internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms, for impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
The convictions of Efemene Philip Okoloko and Ugbo Donaldson, on Wednesday, 1 February, 2023 by Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, came after the convicts pleaded guilty to separate one count charge preferred against them by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
TheFact Day gathers that Efemene Philip Okoloko, sometime in September, 2022 in Warri, fraudulently impersonated one Brian Maxwell on Telegram with username I’m Awesome and phone number +1412-945-0720, with intent to gain advantage for himself.
The second convict, Ugbo Donaldson, according to the charge read against him, on or about 25th July, 2022 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, fraudulently impersonated one Linda Hyung, with intent to unlawfully gain advantage for himself.
The two individuals pleaded guilty to the charges, following which, prosecution counsels, O. Amechi and C. M. Asuzu, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Counsel to the defendants, F. A. Bigha and N. D. Nwonkwo urged the court to temper justice with mercy as they were first time offenders, with no previous criminal records.
Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced Okoloko to one year in prison with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00) fine; while Donaldson was sentenced to two years with Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) fine.
The judge also ordered that the items recovered from the convicts upon their arrest, which include: 1 black Apple iPhone , 1 ash-colour iPhone 6S, 1 black itel phone, 1 black Asus laptop and 1 iPhone 7, be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The convicts are also to depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the Court.
Okoloko and Donaldson were arrested by operatives of the Commission, sometime in July and September, 2022, at Adesa Ughonton, Jedda, Delta State and Dukobo Street, Corner Stone, Ozouba area of Port Harcourt, River State respectively, during an operation code-named, Eagle Sweep for fraudulent internet activities.
