Convict. |
Justice P.M Ayua of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced one Odinakachi Prince Onyeoziri to seven years imprisonment.
He was jailed after pleading guilty to three-count charge
bordering on internet fraud contrary to Section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes
(Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.
One of the count charges read: “That you, Odinakachi Prince
Onyeoziri, and Solmyr (at large) between June 2021 to November 2022 within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly caused your victim's loss by
inputting or suppressing data in computers thereby benefitting the aggregate
sum of $3000 (Three thousand United States Dollars) and thereby committed an
offence contrary to section 14(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention,
etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section” He pleaded
"guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel, I. Agwu
sought to review the facts of the case through the investigating
officer, Abalaka Stephen, an operative of the Commission.
While being led in evidence, he told the court that the
defendant was arrested by operatives of the Commission following a written
petition by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, against the defendant for
alleged internet fraud activities. He was thereafter apprehended sometime in
February, 2024 at Owerri, Imo State.
Testifying further, he told the court that the defendant in
his voluntary statement to the EFCC, confessed to being into internet fraud,
spreading of computer viruses, spamming and also causing his victims losses by
inputting data in computers.
He confessed to benefiting an aggregate sum of Three Thousand
United States Dollars ($3,000) by representing himself to unsuspecting victims
as different individuals Agwu, thereafter, sought to tender in evidence, the
statements, and all the items recovered from the defendant.
The court thereafter admitted the evidence and were marked as
exhibits. Thereafter, the trial judge declared him guilty as charged. Defence
counsel, B. Onuoha, on the other hand, prayed the court for leniency.
He appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy,
considering his status as a first-time offender, and remorse for his
actions. Justice Ayua sentenced him to seven years imprisonment cumulatively
with Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) as an option of fine payable into the
Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In addition, the judge ordered that, items recovered from the
convict, two laptops, a mobile device, Toyota Highlander with
Registration: NKR 736 AA, two-storey buildings containing six units of
two-bedroom flats should be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Additionally, the convict shall depose an affidavit of good
behaviour before the court.
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