Man Faces Jail Term For Online Fraud

An Internet defrauder, Okediji Kabiru who has pleaded guilty to online fraud, is set to be sentenced by a Lagos State High Court on Wednesday, December 10.

After arresting him at Abule Egba with various items used to perpetrate internet fraud, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, hit Kabiru with an 11- count-charge, which bordered on internet fraud and forgery. He was brought before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja for defrauding two white women of about $9,190 (N1.5m) under the pretext that he was going to marry them.

According to the EFCC, Kabiru, operating under false names such as Jack Loper and Patrick Dempster had , at various times obtained various amounts in US dollars from one Jozzet Helle, one Debra Williams and one Manual J. Silberge to the tune of the stolen sum. The court learnt that by claiming to be the ladies’ "fiancée", Kabiru had obtained the money from them under the pretext that the money represented payment for his wedding engagement to the women.

Some of the documents as listed in the charge numbered ID/234C/2014, included a Switzerland Regional Bid Registration Certificate, an entry visa into Nigeria with number 1055487 and a driving licence with number BDG70992AA4 registered under the name of one Emeka Johnson. The accused was also said to have presented the forged licence to Ecobank Plc in a bid to facilitate his obtaining money from the foreigners.

The court on Wednesday, November 12 admitted as exhibits the various items tendered by the EFCC, said to have been recovered from the accused person. The items includes a laptop, an internet modem, two mobile phones, a GTB ATM card, a Switzerland Regional Bid Registration Certificate, an entry visa into Nigeria with number 1055487, the licence and a Bank of America cashier cheque.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Babatunde Shonaike, also told the court that Kabiri has entered a plea bargain with the anti-graft commission and begged that he should be sentenced accordingly.

Justice Lawal-Akapo has adjorned the case till Thursday, December 10.