The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Balogun Mayowa (aka James) for fraudulent impersonation.
Mayowa was convicted on Wednesday, 3 November, by Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Benin-City, Edo State.
TheFact Nigeria learnt that Mayowa had sometime in April this year, fraudulently impersonated the identity of one caucasian named James, and sent documents through the internet to unsuspecting ladies, claiming the documents emanated from the said James, with the intent to obtain money from the ladies, in contravention of section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime ( Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under same Act.
Mayowa pleaded guilty to the charges raised against him, following which, the prosecuting counsel, F.O. Dibang, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant.
However, counsel to the defendant, Philip .E.Owachu, pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy and honour the terms of a plea bargain agreement between the defendant and the prosecution.
Justice Shuaibu, convicted and sentenced Mayowa to two (2) years in prison with an option of N200, 000 fine, and also ruled that the items recovered from the defendant in the course of investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
