The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Command, today, February 6, 2023, arraigned three fraud suspects: Victor Joseph, Mohammed Edogi Mohammed and Johnson Nifemi, before Justice A.I. Akobi of the FCT High Court Gwagwalada Abuja on one count charge each, bordering on internet fraud.

Joseph allegedly pretended to be a marine engineer named Zhang Li and obtained N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) from one Xiao, a Chinese citizen, while Mohammed also posed as a Bryan Alex on various social media apps and obtained N1, 500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) from LekinElli, Williana and Flavio.

Nifemi impersonated one John Alpha, an American engineer and defrauded one Jane Appado, a United States of America citizen of $170 (One hundred and seventy US Dollars).

The offences are contrary to Section 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Consequently, Justice Akobi, convicted and sentenced the trio to community service. Joseph is to clean the court premise for seven days and pay a fine of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only), while Nifemi who had restituted $100 (One Hundred Dollars) from the $170 (One Hundred and Seventy Dollars) he benefited from the scam, is to cut the grass in the court premises and refund the balance of $70 (Seventy Dollars) to the Federal Government. His phone is to be sold and proceeds also paid to the Federal Government.

Mohammed is to fill up every container in the court with water. In addition, he is to pay a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) while his phones are to be sold and proceeds paid into the account of the Federal Government.

Media & Publicity

06/02/2023