JUSTICE S.D. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Ejike Chikamso ( a.k.a, Elvis Rodrigues ) and Mgbeh Alex Ifeanyichukwu to two years imprisonment each for impersonation.
Chikamso was convicted on Thursday, June 24, 2021 and Ifeanyichukwu on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 after pleading “guilty” to one- count separate charge, following their arraignments by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The two separate charges read: “That you Ejike Chikamso (a.k.a, Elvis Rodrigues) “M” on or about March 2020 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Elvis Rodrigues with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.
“That you Mgbeh Alex Ifeanyichukwu on or about the 8th day of January, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: attempt to impersonate a unique identification feature of a whiteman to fraudulently gain advantage to yourself using WhatsApp Figo line +233571034456 in your Samsung J4 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (iv) of the same Act.”
In view of Chikamso’s “guilty” plea, prosecuting counsel, N.A. Dodo urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. He also sued that the devices used in committing the offence be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Defense counsel, C.D. Asomeji prayed the court to temper justice with mercy “because he is a first- time offender and has learnt his lesson”.
Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00). He also ordered that the devices (ash- coloured Techno Spark and black-coloured Compaq Laptop) used in committing the offence, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Additionally, the convict should make a restitution of $200.00 to the victim.
Chikamso’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when the EFCC, acting on some verified intelligence linking him with some internet- related fraudulent activities, arrested him at Ishiuzo, Egbu, Owerri, Imo State on March 12, 2021. Investigations showed that he defrauded a victim, Sarah McMinn, a sum of Two Hundred dollars ($200.00).
Ifeanyichukwu also pleaded “guilty” to the charge pressed against him and based on this, prosecution counsel, F.O. Amama urged the court to convict him accordingly. Defense counsel, E.H. Eboh did not oppose his prayer.
Justice Pam convicted and sentenced him to two (2) years imprisonment with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00). The judge also ordered that the phone (Samsung Galaxy J4) which was used to commit the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government and same auctioned and its proceeds paid into the Treasury Single Account, TSA of the Federal Government.
Ifeanyichukwu got into trouble after the EFCC received established intelligence on the fraudulent activities of suspected internet fraudsters residing in Umuahia, Abia State. He was subsequently arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
