A 24-year-old plumber from Lagos, Precious Oruche, admitted in court on Tuesday that he earned $6,500 through fraudulent impersonation on Instagram, posing as an individual named Nancy Dorer.
Oruche pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of impersonation, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Presiding over the case, Justice Ayokunle Faji heard the defendant’s admission to committing the offence in September 2022.
Following Oruche’s plea, EFCC prosecutor Mr S.I Suleiman presented the case details, with EFCC operative Mr Daniel John testifying about the investigation that led to Oruche’s arrest.
According to John, the EFCC seized various items from Oruche, including an iPhone 11, a 2010 Toyota Venza, a gold necklace, three gold bracelets, and a gold ring.
The prosecutor displayed these items in court, and they were marked as exhibits A through K. The court also inspected the Toyota Venza, which was marked as exhibit L.
The prosecutor then requested the court to convict Oruche based on his plea and the evidence presented. Justice Faji pronounced Oruche guilty under Section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), stating, “In line with Section 274 of the ACJA, I find you guilty of the said charge and I pronounce you guilty.”
In a plea for leniency, Oruche’s defence counsel requested the court to consider his cooperation and remorse, as he did not waste judicial time by contesting the charge.
Oruche shared with the court that he was born on November 20, 2000, and is a secondary school graduate who works as a plumber.
Justice Faji adjourned the case until November 1 for sentencing, directing that Oruche be held in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service until then.
The EFCC charged Oruche under Section 22(2) of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act, 2015, citing his impersonation of Nancy Dorer on Instagram for personal gain.
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