A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, sentenced 32-year-old Israel Osajie to two years in prison with a fine option of N1 million payable within 30 days.
He was sentenced for defrauding a victim of $3,000 (N4.5 million).
Osajie faced a case of impersonation contrary to Section 380 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the graduate of Auchi Polytechnic on a one-count charge of possessing fraudulent documents, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.
According to EFCC prosecutor, Ebareotu Pereagbe, the convict, sometimes in 2023, in Lagos, had in his possession fraudulent documents, wherein he falsely represented himself as Mariana Al-Salim to unsuspecting members of the public, a representation he knew or ought to have known to be fraudulent. He also falsely represented himself on liambeniamin0002@gmail.com as Liam Benjamin to unsuspecting members of the public.
When the charge was read to him, the convict pleaded guilty and promised to turn a new leaf.
He said: “I am sorry, my Lord. Please, give me a second chance. I was carried away by peer pressure and lack of contentment. Now, I know that nothing good comes from fraud. That is the reason I started learning fashion design and I want to be known for that. I promise to be useful to myself and the nation.”
Consequently, Justice Ismail Ijelu sentenced him to two years in prison with the option of a fine.
The judge also granted EFCC’s prayer seeking forfeiture of the convict’s iPhone to the Federal Government.
