Court Convicts Man For Internet Marriage Fraud

Court Convicts Man For Internet Marriage Fraud

Justice Lateef  Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday convicted an Internet fraudster, Okediji Kabiru, for defrauded three white women of about $9,190 under the false pretence that he was going to  married to them.

Kabiru, who pleaded guilty an 11 count charge of Internet fraud and forgery brought against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was convicted of the crimes but would be sentenced by the court on December 10.

The EFCC through its counsel, Babatunde Shonaike  had accused Kabiru, who operated under fictitious names such as Jack Loper and Patrick Dempster, of obtained various amounts in US dollars from the three women, Jozzet Helle, Debra Williams and Manual J. Silberge.

Shonaike had also claimed that Kabiru told the women that the money represented payment for his wedding engagement with thm.

The commission also accused Kabiru, who was said to have committed the crimes on January 30, 2014, of forging various documents to facilitate the cyber fraud.

Some of the documents as listed in the charge numbered ID/234C/2014 include a Switzerland Regional Bid Registration Certificate, an entry visa into Nigeria with number 1055487, a Driver's licence with number BDG70992AA4 in the name of one Emeka Johnson.

The accused was also said to have presented the forged Driver's licence to Ecobank Plc in a bid to facilitate his obtaining money from the foreigners.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences were contrary to Sections 390, 363 and 318 of the Criminal Code Cap  C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

While reviewing the facts of the case on Wednesday, the prosecutor told the court that the EFCC acted upon a petition dated February 14, 2014, which accused Kabiru and his syndicate of scamming innocent people.

The lawyer also stated the commission  deployed its investigative team who apprehended Kabiru at Abule Egba in possession of various items used to perpetrate Internet fraud.

The court on Wednesday admitted as exhibits the various items tendered by the prosecution, said to have been recovered from the accused person.

The items include 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, a Driver's licence with number BDG70992AA4 in the name of one Emeka Johnson and a Bank of America cashier cheque.

Following Kabiru's admission of the crime, Shonaike informed the court that the accused had entered a plea bargain with the anti-graft commission and there prayed that he should be sentenced accordingly.

Before adjourning till December 10, 2014 for sentencing, Justice  Lawal-Akapo told the accused person that the court was not bound by the terms of the plea bargain he entered into with the EFCC as the count can adding to or subtracting from the terms and conditions.