The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court today convicted Chidera Ozirigbo, an Internet fraudster, and ordered him to forfeit $1,980 recovered during a federal investigation.
Mr Ozirigbo was convicted after a plea bargain agreement applied on July 23 and filed July 24.
Justice Nkeonye Maha sentenced Mr Ozirigbo to six months in prison, with the option of N100,000 bail.
The judge also sentenced the convict to six months in prison, with the option of paying N200,000 to the federal government.
Justice Maha said that both counts will run at the same time.
She ruled that the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Hp laptop used by Mr Ozirigbo to perpetuate the crime should be sold and the proceeds transferred over to the federal government.
Justice Maha also requested the convict to swear a good behaviour affidavit as failure to comply would attract the defaulting party’s judicial sanction.
The EFCC claimed that Mr Ozirigbo had falsely impersonated an American, named Anthony Bennet, sometime in May to obtain $1,300 from one Evelyn Oker.
The Anti-graft Agency has stated that Mr Ozirigbo has committed an offense contrary to Section 22(2)(b) of the Cyber Crimes, Prohibition, Prevention, etc. Act 2015 and is punishable under Section (22)(2)b(IV) of the same Act.
EFCC counsel, Hussaina Gambo, said that Mr Ozirigbo was arrested by EFCC operatives on 28 May following surveillance of cybercrime intelligence and Internet fraud activities in Imo.
“Investigations carried out into the case by operatives of the EFCC revealed that the defendant assumed the identity of Bennet to fraudulently obtain money from people,” she said.