Metro

Court jails man for online dating scam, orders forfeiture of gadgets

Published by

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced one Adenuga Elijah Oluwadamilare to one year in prison for impersonation and cybercrime-related offences.

Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the judgment after Adenuga pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the charge, on November 12, 2024, Adenuga falsely presented himself on Google as “Pearl Xavier” with the intent to fraudulently obtain an advantage for himself, an offence in violation of Section 22 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Upon his arraignment, prosecution counsel Abdulhamid Tukur presented Adams Adze, an EFCC operative, who reviewed the facts of the case before the court.

ALSO READ: Oil and gas drives market surge as investors gain N1.90trn on NASD

Adze testified that the defendant was apprehended in November 2024 following credible intelligence on a syndicate of internet fraudsters operating around the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

“At the time of his arrest, an iPhone 12 Pro Max and an HP laptop computer were recovered from him.

“He confessed to engaging in online dating scams and admitted to receiving $200 from one of his victims,” Adze stated.

The EFCC operative further informed the court that forensic evidence retrieved from the defendant’s phone corroborated his confession.

During the course of the investigation, Adenuga also made a restitution of ₦200,000 via a bank draft.

Tukur then tendered the defendant’s extrajudicial statements, the seized gadgets, and forensic printouts as exhibits.

Justice Bogoro admitted them into evidence. Pleading for leniency, Adenuga told the court he had turned a new leaf, started a business, and enrolled in a polytechnic to continue his education.

In delivering judgment, Justice Bogoro sentenced him to one year in prison, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the iPhone, HP laptop, and the bank draft to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Recent Posts

FG identifies 49 gas flare sites, maps out plan for decabonisation

•UK reaffirms support for Nigeria’s energy transition efforts No fewer than 49 gas flare sites…

2 minutes ago

100,000-teus of empty containers litter Nigerian ports, group raises alarm

The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has raised the alarm that following the refusal…

9 minutes ago

Itel Solar Energy commissions first training Centre at University of Ibadan

IN a bold move to empower Nigerian youths and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy,…

54 minutes ago

Hypertension: Why sodium consumption should be regulated

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition when the blood pressure…

1 hour ago

Oyo 2027: Push for Oke-Ogun governor and potential hopefuls 

By Khalid Imran The discourse around rotational governorship in Oyo State is gaining significant momentum,…

2 hours ago

Why UK should ease income rules for family visas —Govt Advisers

The committee also warned that income barriers risk serious harm to families, particularly through forced…

2 hours ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.