May 17, 2022

A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday sentenced a teenager, Oluwafemi Tijani to one year imprisonment for $155 dollars internet fraud.

Justice Uche Agomoh, sentenced the convict based on the overwhelming evidence before the court and terms of the plea bargain entered into with the the prosecuting agency, the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Judge said: ”Although, the convict pleaded guilty to the crime, it is also necessary for the EFCC to prove to the court that Tijani indeed committed the crime.

“This judgment considered the provision of section 270 (11B) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 that spelt out how somebody who enters a plea bargain agreement should be sentenced.

“It is also on record that he has not wasted the time and resources of this court before pleading guilty.

“However, being remorseful and not wasting the time are not enough, but that he should be completely rehabilitated.

“Tijani must learn that he must first go to school and graduate before thinking of riding a Jeep and not through criminal means.

“Therefore, Tijani is sentenced to one year in prison in accordance with the plea bargain agreement signed.

“The proceeds of crime found in his possession are forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Upon completion of jail term, Tijani must write an undertaking to the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never to partake in any form of crime henceforth,” Agomoh ruled.

Earlier, the EFCC’s counsel, Ibadan zonal office, Mr. S. Bashir, had told the court that the defendant was arraigned on a one-count amended charge bordering on impersonation.

Basher further stated that the defendant committed the crime between January and November 2021 and was arrested after intelligence reports.

He added that the convict specialised in defrauding unsuspecting foreigners of their hard earned money through his deceptive email address.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant lodged US$155 and a separate amount of N300,000 in his GT Bank account, being proceeds of fraud.

Bashir said that the offence contravened section 22 (2B) of the Cyber Crime Prohibition and prevention act 2015. (NAN)