The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a student of the Rivers State University, Chika Eguma Ekwodu, to two years imprisonment for internet fraud.

The student was prosecuted by the EFCC on two -count charges bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.

One of the charges read: “That you, Chika Eguma Ekwodu, on the 5th day of June, 2023, at Rivtaf Golf Estate Port Harcourt, within jurisdiction of this  Honourable Court, did fraudulently represent yourself as one Scarlett, a bitcoin trade expert with intent to gain advantage for yourself, and 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.”

He pleaded guilty to the two-count charges when they were read to him.

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Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, M. Abubakar, after presenting a witness, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, N. F. Okemini, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the defendant “is a first-time offender with no previous criminal records and a student who is currently writing his exams.”

She, therefore, prayed the court for an option of fine in lieu of imprisonment to enable him continue his education.

The presiding judge, Justice P. I . Ajoku, convicted and sentenced the student to one year in the correctional centre on each count with a fine option of N200,000 payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the federal government.

Justice Ajoku further ordered that the purple- coloured iPhone 14 Pro and $4,500 that were proceeds of his crime be forfeited to the federal government.

“Additionally, the defendant shall also depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court,” the judge added.

The Star