The Kaduna Zonal Command has secured the conviction of Favour Arasomwan ( a k a Lewis Richard Micheal) and Oyebamiji Obamijesu Stephen ( aka Lorraine Ramsdell ) before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna on separate one count charge bordering on cybercrime.

The defendants were among the 26 suspects arrested in a sting operation at Abuja for alleged involvement in internet-related fraud schemes.

Investigation revealed that they used various social media apps to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money.

The charges against the defendants reads, “That you, Favour Arasomwan ( aka Lewis Richard Michael ) (M) between January and May, 2023 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , committed an offence to wit; falsely presented yourself as Lewis Richard Michael and in that assumed character cheated one Erika Maria Pack of the sum of $2,000 Dollars ( Two Thousand United States Dollars) only when you pretended to be in a romantic relationship with her thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 306 (a) of the Kaduna State Penal Code of 2017 and punishable under Section 307 of the same Law.

“That you, Oyebamiji Obanijesu Stephen (aka Lorraine Ramsdell) sometime in May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence to wit; falsely presented yourself as Lorraine Ramsdell (a citizen of the United States of America) to be paid Maryland benefit offered to the United States Citizens which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017”.

When the charges were read to them they pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecuting counsel, M.E Eimonye and M.U Gadaka, in their separate appearance, to ask the court to convict them accordingly.

Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced them to three and two years imprisonment respectively or a fine of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00 ) each.

While Oyebamiji is to forfeit his Apple iPhone XR, Favour is to forfeit the following items: an iPhone 11 Pro Max, one Hisense 1.5 horse power air conditioner, one Hisense 75" Television, three LG standing fans, one four burner Maxi gas tabletop cooker, one Hisense Mini fridge, one Midea deep freezer, one Hisense microwave, one television stand, one outdoor relaxation swing, two mini garden chairs, one mini table, and a set of sofa to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Media & Publicity

08/06/2023