Justice C.A Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, has convicted and sentenced one Adanegbe Hope Osaze to five years imprisonment for fraud.
The defendant was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation.
The charge against him reads, “that you Adanegbe Hope Osaze sometime in year 2018 at Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Mark Hagen an American by sending his picture to Lynn Wri through the internet which identity you claim to be your own with the intent to obtain money from her, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the charge.
In view of the plea, the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
However, the defence counsel, B.I Jaboro, urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is a first time offender who has become remorseful for his actions.
Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with the option of a fine of N500,000.
In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. and undertake to be of good behavior afterwards.
