The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of one Ernest James before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, for an offence bordering on internet fraud.

The defendant was arraigned on a one-count amended charge in which he was accused of engaging in dating scam to enrich himself.

He, however, pleaded “guilty” to the charge.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima, gave a review of the facts of the case.

He told the court that the defendant was arrested on September 15, 2021, in the Ajah area of Lagos State, following creditable intelligence received by the EFCC.

“He was, upon arrest, taken to the ICT forensic laboratory of the Commission, where his devices were analysed and documents containing fraudulent conversation were printed out,” Yerima said.

He told the court that the defendant also volunteered his statement, admitting to the offence of internet fraud proffered against him, and confessed to have defrauded an American based in California of N2 million.

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Yerima tendered the defendant’s statement, and the fraudulent documents printed out from his device as evidence.

He further urged the court to convict the defendant as charged and to order the forfeiture of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, N501, 720 in his FCMB account and N200,000 in his Heritage Bank account to the Federal Government.

The defence counsel, A.O. Afuye, however, appealed tot the court to temper justice with mercy.

The presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, pronounced the defendant guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months in prison with an option of fine of N200,000.

Justice Taiwo also granted the forfeiture prayer of the prosecution.

The Star