Nationnewslead reports that An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday sentenced an internet fraudster, Pelumi Glory, to six months for engaging in internet fraud.
The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo however gave the convict an option of N200, 000 fine in lieu of imprisonment.
Pelumi was arraigned before the court on a two-count charge of cheating and possession of fraudulent documents.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Nnameka Omewa told the court that the commission sometimes in January received intelligence report about the activities of internet fraudsters, also known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’.
He said based on the report, operatives of the commission carried out surveillance at Zira Hotel, Lekki and some suspects, including the defendant were arrested.
Omewa said the defendant was brought to the office and cautioned that he volunteered his statement.
He listed items found on him at the point of arrest to include a silver coloured Del Laptop, a gold-coloured Samsung S10 phone and a silver-coloured Toyota Camry car with registration GWA 78 BL.
He said the defendant in his confessional statement confessed to engaging in internet fraud and that items recovered from him were proceeds of the crime.
Defence counsel, Olayinka Lamina did not object to tendering of the items recovered from the defendants as exhibits.
Lamina in his allocutus pleaded with the court to sentence the defendant to community service or an option of fine.
He said the defendant has become remorseful and vowed not to return to crime.
“The defendant is a first-time offender and has learnt his lesson. As I speak, his father is in hospital for shock treatment.
“I plead with the court to temper justice with mercy and give the defendant a second chance,” he said.
Pointing out that internet fraud is on the increase in society, the prosecution urged the court to impose a sentence on the defendant that will serve as deterrence to others.
Delivering judgement in the matter, Justice Taiwo noted that the defendant has become remorseful and regret his action.
She subsequently sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment and imposed an option of a fine in the sum of N200, 000.
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