Justice S.D. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Aborchi Bernard (a.k.a Patrick Kinder) to one year imprisonment for internet-related offences.

He was convicted on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on impersonation, preferred against him by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charge reads:

“That you Aborchi Bernard), sometime in November, 2021, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did attempt to fraudulently impersonate one Patrick Kinder on a Gmail with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) of the same Act”

He pleaded guilty to the count charge:

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Endeba Abbiyesuku, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly which was not opposed by the defence counsel, A.G. Chamabila.

Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00). The court also ordered that the iPhone 6S and Tecno phone recovered from the convict should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Aborchi’s journey to the Correctional Service began, following his arrest in a raid by operatives of the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the EFCC for involvement in internet fraud activities. He was charged to court and convicted.

Media & Publicity

7 July, 2022