Man bags 12 months jail term for Internet fraud

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction and sentencing of Nelson Solomon before Justice I. Nwosu of the Federal Capital T High Court Maitama, Abuja, on September 9, 2024.

Solomon was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on impersonation, cheating and obtaining by false pretence. Count one of his charge reads: “That you Nelson Solomon, sometime in 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed the offence of cheating by impersonation when you fraudulently induced one Webbi J.W. Mary to deliver the sum of $100 to you by pretending to be one John Scott, an American engineer, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you, Nelson Solomon, sometime in 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed the offence of cheating by impersonation when you fraudulently induced one Miguela Okayama to deliver the sum of $100 to you by pretending to be one William Fernando, an American and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”

He pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecuting counsel, G.I. Ushie, to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Nwosu, thereafter, convicted and sentenced him to a year imprisonment or a N50,000 fine. In addition, he forfeited his Iphone to the Federal Government.